Ivy came back on the fourth day.

She parked in front of the house with a tired sigh, cutting the engine and sitting there for a moment longer than usual. The trip had drained her more than she expected. Three days had stretched into four, and her body felt it. Her shoulders ached. Her head throbbed lightly. All she wanted was a shower and silence.

She stepped out of the car and frowned.

The lights next door were off.

Damien’s place was always quiet, but never empty. There was always ...