Lucian
I held Mara’s hands, trying to anchor us—trying to bring her back to me. I could see it in her eyes: everything she witnessed today had gotten under her skin. It would’ve gotten under mine, too. What she saw looked bad—me holding Tina’s hand, standing over her like she still mattered. But she didn’t know I had to restrain Tina just so the doctor could clean her up and do the exam. She wouldn’t let them touch her unless I was there.
Tina knew exactly what she was doing. And I knew exactly what I had to do now—end this. She had caused enough damage already.
We stood in front of the house I had rented for us. A quiet place, tucked away, meant to feel like home. I tried to gauge Mara’s expression as she looked at it, but her face gave nothing away.
I stepped beside her and pulled he
