Edward placed his hand on her shoulder.
“Claire.”
She looked up at him.
His eyes were steady.
“This ends tonight.”
Two police cruisers followed the Bentley back through the storm.
Claire watched the red and blue lights reflect off the snow, her heart hammering so hard she thought she might be sick.
Lily slept against her chest, finally warm.
The mansion appeared through the white, glowing like a lie.
Edward stepped out first.
Detective Chen and two uniformed officers followed.
Claire stayed in the car, her legs refusing to move.
Her grandfather looked back at her through the open door.
“You don’t have to come inside.”
But she did.
She didn’t know why.
Maybe because she needed to see their faces.
Maybe because she needed to stop being afraid.
She climbed out, cradling Lily, and followed them to the door.
Edward didn’t knock.
He used his key.
The door swung open.
Her mother was in the living room, wine glass in hand, laughing at something on her phone.
Vanessa was sprawled on the couch in Claire’s cashmere coat.
Her father stood by the fireplace, scotch in hand.
They all looked up.
Her mother’s smile froze.
“Edward?”
He stepped inside.
The officers followed.
