***The Plan***

Robert sat in his penthouse. Alone. Dark. Silent.

The city lights glowed outside. Beautiful. Distant. Meaningless.

He stared at nothing. Seeing everything. Emma's face. Over and over. Replaying. Torturing.

Her eyes. When she looked at him. Fear. Pure. Raw. Terrifying.

Not fear of him. Fear for him. Fear of what speaking would cost.

She'd lied. To the police. To him. To everyone.

"I'm fine." Her voice echoed in his head. Dead. Empty. ...