ed in the hard plastic seat, the official-looking marriage certificate clutched in her h

t. A voice call from Chloe. Clare fumbled

, HAVE YOU COMPLETE

stinctively glancing around. A woman re

she whispered, cupping

? I swear to God, Clare, if you went b

hiss. "His name is Julian. He's just... a normal guy.

spicion. "There's no such thing as a 'normal guy'

stared at a tablet. The air was frigid. His assistant, a man named Mar

ion highlighted in red: Harassment by former fiancé, Heath Torres. It listed a dozen incidents-unwanted calls, showing up at

aid, his voice d

ir

n seen outside her apar

ance team confirmed he was there three

e chips of ice. "

mate control. "Sir? The entire building? It's a p

s voice. He didn't have to. The look in his eyes was enoug

r a market an

k immediately turned and began t

e hadn't brought an umbrella. Pulling her thin jacket over her head, s

ut of Order" sign was still taped to the elevator door. Of course. Wit

. Heath's. His stupid, limited-edition sneakers were kicked off by the door, a half-empty protein shake was growing mold on the coffee t

sing, cut through her exhausti

olently shove his possessions inside. First the overpriced sneakers. Then the collection of sports

essage.

a really hard time. His asthma flared up again, he's at the hospital.

Lily typing it, her face a mask of faux concern. Cold laughter bubbled up

ll, both

wrestling with pigs in mud. You just got dirty, and the pigs enjoyed it. With a decisive t

nse of finality

short

e sound of wheels-heavy, rubber wheels-rolling over the worn

ody slammed against it, stopped

s door! I know y

at

n her kitchen counter and crept towards the door. Peeking through the

ce echoing in the stairwell. "She's worried sick! He's

und. "Get the hell away from my do

nfuriating. "What are they gonna do? Arrest a guy

from a micro-camera his team had installed in the hallway smoke detector that morning. He saw Heath's snarling face,

phone and diale

er phone made Clare jump. It was Julian. A li

la

er voice trembling. "My e

a rock in the storm of her fear. "What's that soun

lding the phone up to

ger gentle. It was glacial. It was laced with

tly engaged in criminal trespassing and ha

lence. "Who... who the he

with the chilling fina

er hus

d silence, two figures appeared at the top of the stairwell. They were la

him. One grabbed the handles of the w

nds off me!" he shrieked, his vo

gan carrying him down the stairs. His furious, pathetic shouts faded as they desc