I put the SUV into drive and pressed the gas pedal.

The tires screeched slightly on the wet pavement as we sped out of the driveway.

In the rearview mirror, I saw Julian standing under his black umbrella.

He didn’t run.

He didn’t shout.

He just watched us go, a dark silhouette against the bright lights of the facility.

I drove through the iron gates, turning onto the dark, winding road.

The windshield wipers slapped back and forth with a rhythmic click.

Beside me, Alexander groaned, his head tilting to the side.

“Alexander?” I said, keeping my eyes on the road.

The rain was coming down harder now, turning the asphalt into a black mirror.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered.

“I’m so sorry, Claire.”

“Don’t talk,” I said.

“Just rest.”

But my chest felt tight, a physical ache blooming behind my ribs.

He had hidden this from me.

He had let me believe he was dead, or worse, that he had abandoned me.

He had trusted his brother more than he had trusted his wife.

I gripped the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white.