Stephanie's POV
I walked out, closing the door behind me. I didn't look back. I heard a single, sharp cry that was cut off almost instantly. Then, there was another, and another. It went on for a while till suddenly, only silence.
I got into my car and drove away. The warehouse shrank in my rearview mirror, just another dark secret in a city full of them.
Back at the real hotel, everything was calm and quiet when I got in. The nanny, a sweet, older woman who asked no questions, told me Jolina had fallen asleep watching cartoons. I paid her and sent her home.
I went into Jolina's room first. She was curled up in bed, her breathing deep and even. One of my old t-shirts was twisted in her little hands. Seeing her like that, so peaceful and safe, made the tight knot of anger in my chest finally begin to loosen. I kissed her forehead and smoothed her hair back.
