Behind him, Priscilla’s nails clicked against the handbag handle.

Iris carried the last box to the waiting car.

A friend from work, Lena Ortiz, had come to drive her somewhere safe and had remained downstairs.

Iris had told Lena only that she’d been hurt and needed a place to stay.

Lena had answered, “I’m coming,” without requesting an explanation.

At the door, Garrett tried one final approach.

“If you leave, don’t expect me to take you back.”

Iris looked at him for a long moment.