The moment Julian’s name came up, Madam Hale’s grief surged. Her voice caught as she choked out, “It’s been days. Julian’s been asleep the whole time, but every time he wakes up, he asks if you and Jeffrey are back. Fran… even if he doesn’t remember, he still keeps you both in his heart.”

Francesca’s face went sheet-white as she lifted her head—

The cherry blossom branch was bare, stripped clean, stretching up toward the second floor of the main ...