Maya's POV
He was already standing before the call ended.
I handed him his jacket from the hook by the door without being asked.
"Go," I said.
"I'll come back tonight."
"I know." I held his jacket while he put it on. "Take whatever time it needs."
He turned and looked at me in the hallway. The same look he'd given me in a hundred difficult moments over the past weeks. The one that said I see you specifically.
"I'll call," he said.
"Only if something changes. Otherwise, just come back."
He kissed me once and left.
I stood in the quiet apartment.
Aria was asleep. Gerald was at Sofia's. The television was off, and the city outside made its usual sounds, and I was alone for the first time in what felt like weeks.
I went to the kitchen and made tea and sat at the table and let mysel
