Biting snow swirled wildly through the night, and Amelia found herself cast out into the brutal storm.
Sobs shook her frame as she pleaded desperately for mercy, insisting every reckless choice had come from a fleeting lapse of reason.
Not a single spark of emotion touched Evander's stern face while guards led her off the premises.
By the time the drama concluded, Christmas Eve had passed.
The cheerful noise from the television's holiday specials felt jarring against the heavy silence in the house.
Evander sat across from me, his face buried in his hands, shoulders trembling slightly.
After a long while, he looked up, his eyes red and swollen. "I'm sorry." His voice was hoarse. "I know those words mean nothing now. But I—I don't know what else to say."
I looked out at the swirling s
