“Only if you tell me what’s really going on with you,” Arthur shot back, his voice steady, unshaken. His eyes locked onto Valerie’s, sharp and unrelenting, like he could pry the truth straight out of her soul.

Valerie’s grip slackened. Her vacant stare didn’t change, but her pupils shrank, and that stubborn edge in her gaze started to fade. Slowly, her hands dropped to her sides. Her head bowed, shoulders slumped, arms hanging limp like brittle branches stripped of strength. ...