I stared at the screen of my phone, my thumb hovering over the glass. I had already done the hardest part. I had deleted every photo, every captured moment of us together—even the ones I had snapped of myself to send Elara.
All that was left was this string of digits and the name Elara Holloway saved in my contacts that I hadn't saved myself. I knew that if I erased this, the tiny, thin chance of ever seeing her again would vanish from the world forever.
But I had no choice. The Chairwoman's threats still felt like a cold blade against my neck. I had to block her. I had to delete her.
"...Just after I finish this cigarette," I whispered to the empty alley.
I told myself that the two minutes it took for the tobacco to burn wouldn't hurt. I stared at her name, trying to lock the shape of the letters into my memory so I wouldn't forget them once they were gone. I knew she wouldn't call. After all, when did Elara call her past lovers when I was living with her?
