Stanford's POV
We’d been driving for hours. The hum of the engine was the only sound between us. She sat stiffly beside me in the passenger seat, arms wrapped around herself like armor. Her eyes barely moved from the horizon, but I could tell she wasn’t really seeing anything.
Just... enduring.
She hadn’t said much since I dragged her out of that apartment—just asked where we were headed, and I gave her what Mrs. Williams told me to say.
““To Stamford. You’ll be staying with someone your mother trusts….She said her name's Mabel”
Her lips parted like she wanted to ask more—but she didn’t. She just nodded a little and kept looking out the window like the city outside was a movie she didn’t care to watch.
Every few miles, I’d glance over. Couldn’t help it.
Her face was… not blank. Not
