Chapter 47

I didn’t go home after leaving Aria’s place.

Instead, I drove straight to the office.

Martha was already there when I arrived. Of course she was. Her car was parked in its usual spot, perfectly aligned, as if she’d planned to stay late long before today demanded it.

The sight of it tightened something in my chest, not fear, not hesitation but a quiet resolve that had been forming since the moment Aria told me administration wanted a statement.

I wasn’t coming here to defend myself.

I was coming here to end something.

Her assistant looked surprised when I asked to see her without an appointment, but she didn’t argue. Five minutes later, I was standing in front of Martha’s office door, my hand hovering just inches away from knocking.

I didn’t hesitate this time.

“Come in,” Martha said, her voice sharp and composed, like she’d been expecting me.

She was seated behind her desk, glasses perched low on her nose, reviewing something on her tablet. She didn’t look up right away. That a