Elliot drowned in grief, Evelyn's final words echoing in his mind every time he closed his eyes.
Your surprise is right here.
He clutched her ashes, whispering "I'm sorry" countless times, each apology hollow against the void she'd left.
Sleep only came with the numb haze of alcohol, but nightmares tore him awake.
When the doorbell rang, Elliot didn't move.
After a long pause, the door creaked open.
A silhouette stood against the light, and for a fleeting moment, Elliot thought it was Evelyn.
"Elliot."
Nina's voice shattered the illusion. His head dropped, and in a surge of rage, he hurled a glass from the coffee table.
It shattered at her feet, his voice raw with fury. "Get out! All of you, get out!"
Nina froze but stepped carefully over the shards, undeterred.
In just a few da
