Elena’s mood changed, then she spoke sharply. “I know!”
Gerald quickly grabbed his phone, his fingers trembling as he opened their chat log. He shoved the screen in front of Elena’s eyes.
“I already spoke to him! Look! He asked me if you ended the pup. I told him yes! Regardless of what you decide, to keep the pup or not, he won’t discover it.”
Her eyes locked on the screen’s light, combing through every word as though danger hid between the lines. It was only after the proof met her eyes that she reached for the wine Gerald had placed before her. She raised the glass, lips grazing the edge, and drank slowly.
“Thank you,” she said quietly, her words melting softer than earlier.
Gerald exhaled, relief softening him, as though a wolf’s paw pressing on him had finally lifted.
Miles away
