Christiano went inside without hesitation and found Astrid there. His hands were clenched at his sides, his knuckles white. Every step she took, every blink, made his chest tighten. His heart felt raw, betrayed.

"Astrid! Why would you do this? Why take a child? Why put everyone in danger?" he demanded, his voice low but cutting through the silence like a blade.

Astrid tilted her head, a faint, bitter smile curling her lips. "Don't come near me. You don’t understand. I did it for love. All of ...