The moment Iris arrived, Lena put clean towels on the bed, set a glass of water beside it, and told her she did not have to explain anything that night.

Iris explained anyway.

Not the entire history.

Just enough: the argument over the bank card, the coffee, the emergency room, the report.

Lena listened without interrupting.

At the end, she asked, “Do you feel safe with him knowing where you are?”

“He doesn’t know where you live,” Iris said.

“At least I don’t think he does.”