Elizabeth’s POV

Friday came too quickly.

Every tick of the clock pushed me closer to midnight, closer to Ethan’s deadline, but this time, the weight on my chest wasn’t fear. It was resolved.

I wasn’t the girl trembling alone under the streetlight anymore. Not tonight.

Sebastian stood beside me, his shoulders squared, his jaw set like stone. Daniel was on my other side, hood up, hands shoved in his pockets, his eyes sharp and watchful. Together, we waited at the spot Ethan had ...