The clock struck midnight.

Ethan was nowhere to be found.

Elizabeth didn't wait up for him any longer.

His absence spoke volumes.

Still, she sent him a text. [Are you coming home?]

No response came.

The next morning, she called Clara.

Clara no longer lived with her since moving into Nathan's house.

She had found work and moved out.

Perhaps she sensed Elizabeth's discomfort and left willingly.

They hadn't spoken since her departure.

Elizabeth had kept her distance.

Clara seemed too ashamed to reach out.

This was Elizabeth's first call to her.

Clara's voice trembled when she answered. "...Elizabeth?"

The uncertainty in her tone was palpable.

"Yes. I'm leaving Crestwood," Elizabeth stated calmly.

She wasn't sure why she felt compelled to tell Clara.

Perhaps because Clara was her only remaining family.

Clara sounded shocked. "What's wrong? Did something happen? Is it about Nathan?"

"Nathan and I are over."

"What happened?"

"That's not your concern," Elizabeth said coldly.

Silence filled the other end.

Elizabeth pressed her lips together.

She could feel Clara's hurt, but couldn't bring herself to comfort the woman.

She lacked the energy for even basic courtesy.

"Jeffrey is in mandatory drug rehabilitation," Elizabeth added. "With good behavior, he could be out in three years."

Jeffrey Bennett was Clara's husband.

After Elizabeth moved out, Nathan had Jeffrey arrested to eliminate potential trouble.

Drug rehab typically lasted three to five years.

Early release was possible with good conduct.

"You can stay in Crestwood if you want," Elizabeth continued. "If you prefer to leave, send me your ID. I'll book your ticket."

"I'll go with you," Clara said immediately.

She didn't even ask where they were going.

Elizabeth's lips tightened.

Her feelings were complicated.

She wasn't sure if she wanted Clara's company.

But the offer had been made.

"Send me your information and pack lightly," Elizabeth said. "We'll take the three o'clock train. Time is limited."

"Okay. I don't have much to pack. I'll start right away."

Elizabeth ended the call.

Emotions washed over her in waves.

Her feelings toward Clara were conflicted.

Her attachment to the city felt equally complicated.

She had lived here for twenty-five years.

She drew back the curtains.

Standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows, she gazed at the winter landscape.

Crestwood was unusually cold this year.

Heavy snow had fallen overnight.

Though road crews had cleared most pathways, snow still clung to tree branches.

The world remained draped in white.

Elizabeth took a deep breath.

She glanced at her phone, considering messages to Elise and Samantha.

Her fingers hovered over the screen.

Then she decided against it.

She would contact them after settling elsewhere.

Right now, she needed to maintain her resolve to leave.

Nothing remained here worth staying for.

The only complication was her debt to Nathan.

Leaving was the best gift she could give him.

Time would heal all wounds.

At Rockville, William and Elise were having breakfast.

William had been going out more frequently lately.

His outings remained brief.

Every time he returned, he immediately changed clothes.

He wanted no outside scents lingering on him.