sleep. I

lding it for so long. The screen brightness of the phone had dimmed off, but I did

his apartment. Hands in

d photo. That one

ight at the center of his ches

. Not yet. B

him. And they wan

don't fall for someone else. You don't run.

. Tell him to leave town, change his num

y, if they saw one wrong move from m

.m., my ph

te Se

9. Black car

No threat. But I didn't need

other packed it for me. Neatly and silently. Like this had b

ed aside a few books until I found my journal.

re taking me, Clinton deserve

nd. That this wasn't about giving up on my love for him, but love wa

I'd borrowed from him months ago. One, he probably forgot I still had it. Th

er it. But if there was a

dn't

e I showed hi

after something like that. He'd be o

st when something

try to protect me in a wa

him wouldn't take any further decisio

., A black car pulle

e didn't

the tiles. Her face looked calm, almost pleased. She ha

d to me. "And remember, speak only when

didn't trust my v

d. He just pulled away from the house and join

quiet, and every seco

assed before I

the university," I said. "I

respond

ck, he said, "Mr. Vale g

I said. "It'll take les

t five minutes later, the

alked to the faculty drop box, and slipped the envelope inside. It wo

all I c

ck into

ords from

re he'd repo

wasn't wha

Everywhere looked sleek and expensive. G

it felt like an estate meant to im

for someone. Her face looked like someone in her mid-forties. She was wearing a grey suit and ho

ome. I'm Elara. I'll be in charge of your

ation?"

ace as she turned and

Mr. Vale is very partic

y room we passed was spotless and cold

a door on th

notice," Elara said. "Meals are schedu

card and turned to

r. Vale is ready. Until th

uction. As if she knew I had many questions to

tiful, painted in neutral colors which I had always loved. Soft lighti

e like a hotel room no

and advanced to the glass window to take

also looked as polished as the rest of the house.

when I

an V

path with another man beside

n sto

sses. Calm steps.

at first. But then

t at

for a second, then smi

know why you're here. I know what y

om the window. My

re. It wasn't kindness and whate