Bastien stayed in the office while they carried Elizabeth’s body out to hang it in the living room. He looked at the photos and personal belongings; in the drawers there were memories of the two of them together, nothing he could use.

Lucca stood at the door with a baby in his arms. The child was about four months old. Bastien took him and saw that his eyes were amber-colored.

—Hello, you. I’m your uncle Bastien. This will be the only time in your life you’ll see me, and I hope it stays that wa