Chapter 41

The door slammed shut as Astrid left. Jessica was wiping tears from her eyes as she turned away from both James and Rowan and laid on the couch. Her back to them.

Jessica’s voice was wavering when she said, “The sun is setting. Someone should go after Astrid.” She took a deep breath and it warbled in her chest before she added. “I just can’t right now.”

She was clearly still weak, and every sniffle was painful. James looked over at Rowan, not saying anything, but the look in his eyes said it all. He went over to sit by Jessica, resting a hand on her side. She didn’t speak, but her tears were heartbreaking.

Rowan could only imagine how Astrid felt. She loved her family. She was so close with her mother. And in an instant, it was gone. A slap to the face. Because of him. He couldn’t make it right. There was nothing he could say or do to make it any better, but at least he could be there.