LOGINThe auctioneer's cadence moved through the wall. I had built something without him. That was still true. It would stay true. Whatever I said next didn't touch it. "I don't know," I said. "That's the honest answer. Not the managed version." I met his gaze. "I don't know if what's left is enough to
Alicia's POV The older man was still talking. "Seven years," he said. "Four jurisdictions. We moved water infrastructure across borders that hadn't spoken to each other in a generation." His hands traced corridors in the air between us. "The archive is the proof it happened. That it worked." He tu
“You entered without cause,” I said. “You stayed without one.” “I don’t know what this is between you two but—” “My wife.” No variation in tone. No additional weight needed. Alicia’s hand lifted a little, then halted mid-motion and settled again without completing the gesture. The woman exhaled
Edward’s POV “Forty thousand. Do I have forty-five?” The paddle was already raised. Alicia’s hand remained under mine, unchanged in position, as though neither of us had adjusted to its presence since it settled there. “Forty-five.” I raised. “Fifty. Fifty-five.” On the left, a man leaned forw
The fifth lot began. Edward moved to speak to someone at the side of the room. I watched the auctioneer. She crossed the room toward him. He turned when she spoke. She laughed. It had worked before, that laugh. I scanned the sixth lot. Mixed media, authenticated 2019, provenance verified. Her h
Alicia's POV Volkov was already at the door when we came in. His eyes went to my dress and came back up. Lazily. He turned to Edward, and they shook hands. It ran a half-second longer than it needed. "You both came," he said. "You invited us," Edward said. "I invite many people. They don't alwa
I was already moving. Corridor widened. Gallery entrance ahead. Ceiling higher, ambient light brighter. Music floated out. Violins threading a slow, elegant piece. Felt obscene. Wrong. Voices swelled. Laughter, clinking silverware, murmurs. Too many people, too much noise. I pushed through the ar
Alicia's POV I woke to the sterile quiet of the hospital room, the faint hum of machines blending with the slow tick of the wall clock. Morning light spilled thinly through the blinds, pale and sharp. I pressed my face against the crisp pillow, wishing I could disappear into it. My body ached in w
Edward's POV The door clicked shut behind me. I leaned against it, chest tight, fingers digging into the bridge of my nose. The frame wound cold into my spine. It was the only thing holding me together. I had just been beside her. Watched the blood drain from her face. Watched her hand pull away f
Alicia's POV I must have fallen asleep. Or maybe just passed out. I couldn’t tell. When I woke, the world felt keen around the edges. On the nightstand, the chamomile Edward had ordered from the help sat half-drunk, already partially sipped. I hadn’t had the strength to finish it before dozing.







