Chapter 31

The rain hammered a relentless rhythm against the windows of Carole's apartment, a fitting soundtrack to the turmoil raging within her. She'd escaped the downpour and the lingering intensity of Royce's gaze only moments ago, yet the chill of the night clung to her, a physical manifestation of the uncertainty that gnawed at her. She shed her coat, the damp fabric clinging to her skin, a stark reminder of the storm raging both outside and within. Her apartment, usually a sanctuary, felt strangely empty, the silence amplifying the turmoil in her mind.

Royce's words echoed in the quiet hum of the city outside, a persistent soundtrack to her racing thoughts. She looks worried and complicated because of this.