Gianni stood by the window of his living room, his eyes glued to the iron gates outside.

The sound of the grandfather clock ticked louder with every second as though it were counting down something inevitable.

Each beat drove deeper into his skull, matching the sick, crushing weight lodged in his chest.

He should have thought of the consequences before accepting Rafael’s proposal. Maybe he should have been a better father. He should have hidden Laura better. Farther. Somewhere even ...