Wind howled through the broken shutters of the bell tower.
Mason crouched near the edge, soaked to the bone, arms wrapped around himself. The detonator was gone. The guests were safe. His last move had failed.
Caroline stood across from him, dress torn at the hem, rain dripping down her temples. Bryant stayed back near the stairwell, silent, but ready.
“It's over," she said.
Mason didn't look up. “You were supposed to remember… and come back to me."
“I remembered everything," she said quietly. “And that's exactly why I didn't."
He laughed—broken, hollow. “We were perfect. You adored me. You said I was your entire world."
“I was desperate. And you exploited it."
“No," he said, voice rising. “I gave you structure. I gave you purpose. Without me, you were just a lost girl playing Alph
