Echoes of Her Absence

NOLAN'S POV

My fingers dug into the polished mahogany railing until the wood pressed deep into my skin. From the top of the grand staircase, I watched Carmen push through the double front doors. Her hands swung loose at her sides. No suitcases. She did not raise her chin or meet my gaze. Instead, she dipped her head, gave a hurried nod toward the floor, and scurried off toward the rear hallway le