The door opened, and Julian stepped inside.

Francesca, knowing it was him without turning around, spoke in a cool, detached voice: “Don’t come here anymore. Feigned kindness after the fact is just the crocodile shedding tears—it fools no one, and I certainly don’t want it.”

Julian moved closer, reaching to lay a hand on her shoulder, but Francesca evaded him deftly.

His hand hung awkwardly in the air, then slowly dropped as he murmured, “I ...