AT THE SAME TIME
XAVIER'S POINT OF VIEW:
John Hade nodded to me as he headed toward the guest room. His shoulders were slumped, the weight of his revelations clearly wearing him down.
"Goodnight, Xavier." He said softly, pausing at the door.
"Goodnight, John." I replied.
He disappeared into the room, the door clicking shut behind him. The house was quiet now, save for the soft hum of the heater. I glanced down the hall toward my bedroom, where Isabella was resting. I opened the door quietly, not wanting to disturb her. The faint glow of the bedside lamp illuminated her face, peaceful and serene despite the stress of the evening. She looked so small, curled up beneath the blanket, her breathing even and steady.
As I stood there, memories from long ago began to resurface flashes of a
