I didn’t sleep for two days but I tried to, I just wasn’t able to. I’d lie on the stiff hotel mattress, stare at the water-stained ceiling, and close my eyes but all I could see was that folder. All I could hear were his words in that old video.
“They never wanted love. They just wanted bloodlines.”
And I had been the means to an end. Nova had always been the prize. I wasn’t even the pawn, I was the playing board.
When I finally went home, the air felt wrong. Noah’s house was too clean and quiet. Nova’s toys were stacked neatly in a corner like she hadn’t played with them in days. He was sitting on the couch with his elbows on his knees, head down like a man waiting for judgment. He didn’t even look up when I entered.
Just said softly, “Is she okay?”
“She’s asleep,” I answered, settin
