Lydia saw Jayden downstairs.

The moment she saw him, her first instinct was to avoid him. As she turned to leave, he grabbed her hand. “Don’t go, Lydia, please, don’t go,” Jayden's voice was hoarse, as if he were completely exhausted.

Only then did Lydia notice the dark circles under his eyes and the few scratches on his face, like they’d been made by a woman’s long nails. There was even a small patch of missing hair near his temple.

He looked completely ...