Mara
I didn’t sleep.
Not really.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw a courtroom.
A judge looking down at me like I’d failed some invisible test.
Evan sitting there, composed, rehearsed, pretending he cared.
And Lily being led away while I stood there useless.
I got up before sunrise.
The house was silent except for the low sound coming from the refrigerator and the faint sound of Cole moving somewhere down the hall.
He wasn’t asleep either.
I found him in the kitchen, leaning against the counter, coffee untouched.
“You don’t drink coffee,” I murmured, my voice sounding fragile in the dark.
He gave a faint smile tired smile. . “I know.”
“You’re just holding it.”
“Yes,” he admitted, his grip tightening on the mug.
I crossed my arms, suddenly. “I hate this.”
“I know,” he repli
