Roy was waiting for me outside, leaning casually against the wall, with that same affable smile that had once made me believe in simpler times. For a moment, I almost forgot the weight pressing on my chest. Almost. He looked incredibly relaxed, and he was dressed as if he were going on a first date, wearing smart-casual clothes and with his hair neatly styled.
"Ready?" he asked, extending his hand.
I nodded, forcing a smile. "Yes… ready."
The drive was silent at first; the city lights passed by like ghosts. Roy tried to fill the silence with small talk: work, old friends, the restaurant he'd chosen… but my mind wandered. I wanted to listen, to let his voice lead me to a safe place, but Sebastian's silence and James's shadow loomed over every pause.
Even so, I couldn't help but notice t
