Julian’s POV
“What did you do to her? What the hell did you say to her?”
I actually froze at the spot for a second—one foot still on the threshold, my jacket hanging loose off my shoulder, and the city breeze still clinging to my shirt.
For a second, I was a fifteen years old boy again, caught sneaking out the kitchen window with a bottle of Leon’s dad’s scotch and Ava giggling against my neck. Back then, Ms. Lin would’ve chased me with a wooden spoon and a lecture that is sharp enough that it could actually peel paint.
Now she just stood there in the middle of the entrance hall. She folded her arms so tight under her apron that I could see the knuckles were starting to turn white.
I let the door shut by itself behind me. The heavy click echoed like someone c*****g a gun.
“Ms. Lin,
