(SANTINO’S POV)

By the time we reached home, the sky was already dark. The city lights stretched far behind us, fading into nothing but faint specks in the distance.

The ride had been long and silent. Too silent.

Hailey had fallen asleep somewhere along the way, her head leaning against the car window. The faint hum of the engine and the rhythm of her breathing were the only sounds that filled the air.

When the driver stopped in front of the house, I didn’t move for a few seconds. I ...