Ryan’s arm throbbed violently as he sat in the police car, the pain pulsing in sharp waves up to his shoulder. Blood trickled down in a warm stream, soaking into his shirt, but he forced himself to ignore it for the moment. The bullet had torn into him with a burning intensity that made his vision

Ryan stood frozen, staring down at Martin’s unconscious body sprawled across the forest floor. The leaves around him were still settling from the fight, drifting slowly to the ground. His chest rose and fell sharply, each breath shaky from exhaustion, pain, and confusion. But none of that compared

Ryan closed his eyes, guilt tightening his chest. “Mom… I know. I’m sorry. I really am. A lot happened. Too much happened. But listen to me—it’s over now.” “It’s not over!” she cried. “You were trying to confront Martin Holton!! Ryan, what if he—what if he hurt you? What if he killed you? Ryan, I

CHAPTER 258Ryan did not sleep that night. No matter how many times he closed his eyes, his mind refused to slow down. The room was quiet, yet his thoughts were loud, looping endlessly around the same words, the same question that had been planted in his head and refused to leave. He lay flat on hi

Ryan stood just outside the hospital entrance, his hands buried deep in his pockets as he watched Elizabeth walk farther away down the pavement. Her back was straight, her steps unhurried, almost light, as if a heavy burden had truly been lifted from her shoulders. The sight made Ryan scoff softly.