"Alone."
The word struck like a cold blade.
Emma squeezed my hand under the table, refusing to let go. Her wide eyes begged me not to leave with him, but I already knew there was no choice.
If I wanted answers, if I wanted even a small chance to take control, I had to face him.
Even if it meant stepping deeper into the dark.
Josh did not wait. He just gave a small jerk of his chin as if he was commanding, and walked toward the door.
His boots echoed on the floor as he left the kitchen. The heavy silence wrapped around me like a shroud.
I pulled my hand free from Emma's grip, my chest tightening as she shook her head furiously.
I wanted to whisper something to her...to trust me.
That I would come back but the words could not form at that time as I myself did not know if I had come back at all.
So I followed him.
The hallway stretched out endlessly, though I knew it was only a few steps. My legs felt heavy, like each step dragged me closer to a cliff.
