Laura’s eyes shimmered with tears, her voice trembling.

“I don’t know...” she murmured. “And because of that, it’s better if I leave now before things get even worse.”

She tried to stand immediately, but Edgar grabbed her by the waist and pulled her back firmly—not aggressively, just with a silent kind of desperation.

She landed in his lap, and before she could protest, his other hand cupped her face.

“I missed you so much, blondie...” His voice came out low, rough, heavy with suffering. “For t