The forest outside was a blur of white and grey, the pine branches heavy with fresh snow.

“We have to leave,” he said. “Now.”

“In this storm?”

“The storm is the only thing that might slow them down.”

He reached into his coat and pulled out a spare magazine for his pistol.

His hands were steady now, the adrenaline replacing the exhaustion.

I stood up, my heart hammering against my ribs.

I felt a sharp pinch in my lower back, a reminder of the physical toll of the last few days.

“Adrian, listen to me,” I said.

He didn’t look back as he loaded the weapon, the sharp metallic click echoing in the small room.

“We don’t have time to talk, Claire.”

“We do,” I said, grabbing his arm. “Because if we die out there, I want you to hear it.”

He stopped, his thumb resting on the safety.

“I didn’t leave you because I stopped loving you,” I said.

He stared at me, his eyes searching my face in the dim light.

“I left because you wouldn’t let me love you,” I said. “You only let me love the mask.”