~SCARLETT.

Day broke, but sleep never came. I stayed curled on the floor, clutching my locket as the first light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling window. The pounding on the bathroom door had stopped hours ago, replaced by a silence that was somehow louder. I stared at the lock, my thoughts spiraling into places I didn't want to go.

Finally, I took a shaky breath and forced myself to move. My legs wobbled beneath me as I stood. Unlocking the door, I eased it open.

Jake was slumped on the ...