Joe turns back toward me with a smile that’s just a little too bright. “Eat, Abigail.”
I narrow my eyes, even though I know it’ll do little to intimidate the woman standing in front of me. “Josephine…”
She grins. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
“Bu—”
“Eat.”
That’s it. End of discussion.
I guess, Enzo was right. The woman doesn’t lose a fight.
I pick at the eggs on my plate, only taking the occasional bite when I spot Joe staring at me.
The ranch stretches out beyond the kitchen windows.
Endless Pasture.
Rolling hills.
The barn standing steady across the driveway.
Everything looks exactly the same as it did yesterday.
But I know deep in my bones that something has shifted.
I can feel it.
And just as that thought runs through my head, my phone buzzes on the counter.
My heart jumps as I see Lincoln’s name and his handsome face light up my screen.
The entire room goes quiet, and Joe watches me carefully as I answer it.
“Hi,Lyubimyy.”My voice comes out softer than I expected.
There’s a brief pause on the other end, then Lincoln’s voice fills my ear. “Hey, Sweetheart.”
“Lincoln…”
Another pause. I can almost picture him standing somewhere with one hand in his pocket, that thoughtful look on his face.
“What’s going on?”
The silence stretches for another moment before he finally says the only two words that could make my lungs loosen. The only two words that make it feel like, after all these years—aftereverything—I can finally breathe. “It’s done.”
Just like that.
No explanation.
No details.
Just those two words.
I close my eyes as the air slowly leaves my lungs. “When will you be home?” I ask quietly.
“In a few hours.”
