49|Without Cadence

Luca retreated to the crates in the corner again, the tension between him and Andrew still simmering out of control. For twenty years, the cousins had held it together. Not once did they ever threaten or blame each other. They'd given each other strength in their most hopeless moments, so for April and Rosalie to see them fall apart at the very end was heartbreaking.

Rachel and Rudolf watched the chaos with mild intrigue from their spot, refusing to be drawn into the madness. Sonja suggested they should go home and get some rest. But they politely declined. They wanted to be there for her and help in any way they could.

April's phone rang again, and Andrew exhaled a huge sigh of relief when she mouthed, "it's Ethan".

He'd known all along he'd call again. After all, he knew Ethan and the games he liked to play better than anyone. They were the best of friends a lifetime ago.

But if Andrew was honest, for a second there, he'd had his doubts and would never have forgiven himself if it tu