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“We were,” the doctor says.

“His heart stopped again. We weren’t able to restore a sustainable rhythm.”

I stare at him.

“So try again.”

The doctor pauses.

“Mr. Kensington—”

“Try again,” I say.

My voice is lower now.

“Ross.”

Sebastian is behind me.

I turn.

He is standing upright again, pale and shaking, one hand pressed against the wall for balance.

His eyes meet mine.

That is when it becomes real—not because of the doctor—because of Sebastian.

My brother looks like someone has taken a piece of him out and left the rest standing. I look down at my mother, still crying into my chest, and finally understand that there is nothing anyone in this building can give back to us.

My father is dead.

I close my eyes and hold my mother tighter while Sebastian sinks into the chair beside us and covers his face with both hands.

For several minutes, none of us says anything coherent. There is only my mother’s grief, my brother’s ragged breathing, and the terrible fact that Charles Kensington is gone.

Chapter Fifteen

Blaire

I’ve walked the length of my living room so many times that I’ve stopped noticing the route.

Ross left more than five hours ago, and I haven’t heard anything since. My phone has stayed on the coffee table with the volume turned all the way up while I move between the windows, the kitchen and the sofa, finding reasons to pick it up even though the screen remains empty. I don’t know whether calling him would help or make things worse.

The last thing he said before leaving was that he’d call when he knew something, and I know enough about Ross to understand what that means when his family is in crisis. He’ll be with them. He’ll be asking questions. He’ll be trying to hold everything together until someone tells him what happens next.

My phone rings just as I reach for it again. For half a second, my heart jumps. Then I see Chloe’s name.

I answer immediately. “Hi.”

“There you are,” Chloe says.

“I was starting to think London had swallowed you. I haven’t heard from you in almost two weeks.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“How are you?” she asks.

“Last time we talked, you and Ross were practically living in each other’s pockets.”