One Night, Forever Wounds

ng shadows across the empty streets. Elira stood at the edge of the North Pier, t

ed metal doors, cracked windows, and the faint smell of

d at her w

adn't sh

read and reluctant hope. What did he want? Why now, after everything he'd done

use door, the groan of met

tered shafts of light slipping through broken panels. Dust partic

far corner, a

el

d, and impossibly composed. His dark eyes, colder than

he said

ing. No

step forward. "Why d

often. "Because we hav

estroyed everything. You don

dn't destroy you. You l

h hitched

lled. "There's something you need to

r rising in her chest, f

ulled out an envelope, sliding it

ng fingers,

legal documents, te

of a wo

erent. P

eam lodged i

ow

now, almost regretful. "

t her like a

ck, hand to her

pered. "That c

ght to know. I wasn't going to tell you because... be

" Elira's voice crack

ned. "Maybe. But no

sion, and something fragile ben

e?" she

self inches from her arm. "We can face

e secret she had buried alone, the fear she ha

reject him, to run back t

ered: maybe this was her c

asked finally,

the truth. And because... I d

between them, heavy

deep breath.

You'll have it.

afternoon sun breaking throug

asn't done

ture... wa