Forty-Six.

(Lily’s POV)

I hadn’t told Chris about the note. I was spiralling, and I didn’t think it was the right thing to do; at least both of us didn’t need to be on edge.

I felt obligated to take on this baggage, and I wasn’t exactly complaining.

I did tell him to take over the deliveries and that I wasn’t exactly feeling well, but he was more than willing to do it.

I, on the other hand, was having a breakdown, and I desperately wanted to talk to someone about this. Every cell in me wanted to call Alphonso.

I kept picking up the phone and putting it back down.

I had started to dial the numbers when there was a knock on the door.

It was in the middle of the day; I never usually have visitors at this time of day. I picked up a gun, and as I peeked through the window to see who it was.

Julian.

I was back to feeling on edge, and I didn’t know what exactly to think about him, but all I could hear was Chris’ paranoid voice at the back of my head.

I put the gun away and opened the door—just a crack.