The car moves along the coastal road under the midday sun, the sea glimmering to our left, calm and distant, as if it’s untouched by everything happening inside this car. Violet sits beside me, silent, and I glance at her every now and then. She’s still wearing my shirt, buttoned all the way up, and even though the morning chill has passed, her hands remain clenched in her lap. She doesn’t look out the window, she doesn’t sleep—she just waits. I know what this is about.

“Aarón?” Her voice final