Chapter 4

Jack walked ahead, with me trailing behind, as we made our way down deserted streets and through shadowy alleys, until we finally arrived downstairs at our rented place.

As we went upstairs, he paused at the stairway landing and turned to look back at me.

"Lily," he called out again.

"What?"

"I'll do my best," he said quietly but with determination. "Just give me a little more time, okay?"

I opened my mouth, wanting to say okay, to say I believed in him, to say, "You don't have to do this."

But in the end, I just nodded.

He gave…