The soft chime of her alarm pierced the silence.

Meret stirred, blinking blearily at the pale morning light seeping through her curtains. For once, she hadn’t fought against waking early; she had set the alarm deliberately.

Today, she needed answers.

The first light of dawn brushed across the sky when Meret slipped quietly out of her room. She’d been restless most of the night, turning over her decision in her mind. Today she wouldn’t avoid Bruce. Today she’d be the one to face him.

The ...