Chapter 99

• Simone stayed behind while the others packed up their things. She moved through the space slowly, fingertips grazing fabric, her breath quiet in the air. When she paused near the window, I joined her, standing just behind her left shoulder. Outside, the sky had darkened, and the city lights flickered to life in clusters that looked like they belonged to a quieter version of the world.
• “Do you remember when this felt impossible?” she asked.
• I did not need to ask what she meant. I nodded.