Page 41 of Devil's Advocate

“Get out,” he rasped.

The syllables were weak but sharp enough to cut air.

I stared at him, my pulse roaring in my ears.I thought I’d feel anger, or grief, or vindication.But what I felt was… nothing.Just a hollow quiet, like the wind after a storm.

Lucien squeezed my hand.“Come on,” he whispered.

We left without another word.

Outside, the air smelled like rain and cut grass — alive.I leaned against the hood of our car, the metal cool under my palms, and let the tears come.They fell fast but easily.

Lucien stood close, his arm wrapping around my shoulders.“Hey,” he murmured, his voice low and steady.“You did what you needed to do.”

I nodded, wiping my face.“He’ll never change.”

“No,” Lucien said gently.“But you did.”

I let out a shaky breath, managing a small smile.“You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.I love you so much, Lucien.”

Lucien turned toward me, eyes soft.“And you’re the bravest man I’ve ever met, Jimmy.I love you, too.”

He kissed my forehead, lingering just long enough for the world to fall quiet again.

When we got into the car, I looked up through the windshield.The sky had cleared — that perfect, washed blue that only comes after rain.A crow cut across it, black and certain, flying toward the sun.

For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel guilty for leaving.

I felt free.

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