His brows drew together slightly.
“See you next month.”
I turned before he could respond.
Before he could ask questions about my condition.
Before he could read too much into my sudden disappearance.
Because the last thing I needed was him analyzing my body like it was another battlefield.
Yannis was waiting near the exit.
Standing beside a corrections officer who kept a gentle hand resting on his shoulder.
His eyes were red-rimmed.
But he wasn’t crying anymore.
He looked stronger than when he first walked out of that room.
Almost composed.
“He’s with me,” I told the officer.
The man glanced down at Yannis.
“Is this your mom?”
Yannis nodded.
Small. Certain.
The officer stepped back immediately. “Take care, kid.”
Yannis walked toward me.
I placed my hand gently on his back and guided him outside.
The parking lot sunlight hit us like a physical force.
I unlocked the black SUV Ruslan had insisted on providing.
Armored. Tinted..
A constant reminder that even when he was locked behind bars, his influence followed us.
I opened the passenger door for Yannis.
He climbed in silently and buckled his seatbelt.
I walked around to the driver’s side and slid into the seat.
My hands still trembled slightly on the steering wheel.
I clenched my jaw.
What the hell was wrong with me?
