Chapter 28 — Beneath the Burning Silence
The fire outside had long died down, but inside Nova's chest, something smoldered quietly. She sat by the window, watching the moon reflect in fractured glass, her breath fogging the corner of the pane. The city had gone quiet. Too quiet. The kind that hums with secrets.
Bea stirred behind her. "You haven't slept."
"I couldn't," Nova whispered. "Every time I close my eyes, I see him."
Bea crossed the room, her shadow flickering like smoke. She placed her hand gently on Nova's shoulder. "Then stop trying to run from it. Talk to me."
Nova's voice cracked. "He's not gone."
Bea didn't flinch. "Then we find him."
The silence between them broke open like thunder. The truth was, they had no plan. No leads. Just the echo of the man who had lit both of their lives like gasoline and vanished like vapor.
Nova turned. "You'd really go with me?"
Bea's eyes burned—not with anger, but love. "I already have. From the moment you first looked at me like I wasn't a mistake."
Nova blinked. "I've never thought you were."
"You did," Bea said, smiling sadly. "But now? Now you see it. You see us."
The wind outside picked up, rattling the walls. Nova stood, pulling her coat tighter. "Then let's go."
"Where?"
"To where the fire started."