Page 131 of Undone

She didn’t answer right away, but I saw the way her body stiffened, the way her fingers curled into fists. “Yeah, I do.”

I didn’t like it. Not one bit. The idea of her facing him again—of her stepping into his world even for a second—made something cold and ugly twist in my gut. But I understood. She needed to know why, needed to face it head-on, even if I wanted to lock her away from him, away from all of it.

“When we were in the tunnels, before… before I got shot.” I paused, trying to steady my breath, still shaky from the memory. “He said you were the reason he did all of this. That you could have stopped him.”

Noah was silent for a long moment. I could see her eyes closing, as if the words were a blow she’d been expecting but hadn’t fully prepared for. When she spoke, it was almost like she was talking to herself. “Yeah, I know…” Her voice faltered for a second. “Ellie told me.”

I wanted to reach for her again, to pull her close, to shield her from all of it. But instead, I sat still, waiting for her to continue.

“Noah…” I started, my voice filled with the warning I wasn’t sure how to say.

“I need to do this,” she interrupted, shaking her head, determination set in her eyes. “I need answers.”

I inhaled deeply, my jaw tightening, my heart heavy with the weight of it all. “Okay,” I said finally, my voice thick with the words I didn’t want to speak. “It’s your choice. I’ll support you. But you don’t have to do this alone.”

She squeezed my hand, her touch grounding me in a way I wasn’t expecting. “I’m not doing this alone,” she whispered, her words a promise. “Not anymore.”

FORTY-NINE

Noah - December

THE SMALLEST MAN WHO EVER LIVED - TAYLOR SWIFT

The toweringconcrete prison loomed ahead, cold and uninviting under the pale winter sky. It had been a couple of weeks since everything came crashing down—weeks filled with sleepless nights, healing wounds, and trying to piece our lives back together.

I glanced at Dorian in the passenger seat as I pulled into the lot and killed the engine. His leg was stretched out in front of him, crutches resting awkwardly against the door. The bulky brace encasing his thigh was a stark reminder of just how close we’d come to losing everything.

“Are you sure you’re up for this?” he asked.

“I have to do this,” I said, gripping the steering wheel tighter.

Dorian frowned, his hand reaching out to brush against mine. “You don’t have to do it alone.”

I turned toward him, offering a small smile. “I know. But right now, I need you to stay here.”

“What? No, Noah, I can?—”

“Dorian,” I interrupted gently, my tone firm but affectionate. “Your leg. I’m not letting you hurt yourself walking in there when you don’t have to. Stay here. I’ve got this.”

He exhaled sharply, clearly not thrilled about the idea, but he didn’t argue. “Fine. But if you’re not out in thirty minutes, I’m coming in, crutches and all.”

“Fine, you stubborn ass,” I said, leaning over to press a kiss to his temple before sliding out of the car.

The cold air nipped at my face as I approached the looming prison entrance. My legs felt heavier with each step, the reality of what I was about to do pressing down on me.

Inside, the sterile halls echoed with the sharp clink of keys and distant murmurs. The lights buzzed faintly overhead, amplifying the tension that had been building since the moment we left Woodstone.

At the far end of the hallway stood my father, his back turned as if he were lost in thought.

“Dad?” I called out, my voice wavering between surprise and disbelief.

He turned slowly, his face lighting up in recognition. “Noah.”

Before I could say another word, he closed the distance between us, pulling me into a tight embrace. I sank into the familiar comfort of his arms, but unease lingered at the edge of my thoughts.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, pulling back to meet his gaze. We have only exchanged a few calls and texts over the last couple of weeks.

Something I couldn’t read crossed his face. “You said you were coming today. I wanted to be here when you did and see John too. Get some closure.”

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