Aria

I paced the quiet house, tension coiled tight beneath my skin. I drifted toward June’s room and peeked in. He was fast asleep, his chest rising in the calm rhythm only children would have.

I leaned in and pressed a kiss to his forehead, lingering for a second longer than I needed to.

Then I stepped out onto the balcony.

Below me was the city; it was silent. The streets stretched out deserted at this hour, and the skyline glimmered with the glow of a thousand buildings, life ...