Chapter 12

• John’s POV
• I thought explaining everything would calm her down. She had always been understanding. She just needed reassurance. But instead of softening, her expression twisted into something strange—a mix of disbelief and pity.
• “You don’t need to explain any of this to me, John. None of it has anything to do with me anymore.” She shook her head, her voice distant and clipped, and for some reason that hurt more than her coldness. “All I’m asking is this. I saved your life once. So give me a little mercy. Give me a way out.”