Chapter 48

Chris sat in his chair. He was dressed in a black suit with a white shirt and tie dotted with stars. It was the tie I had given him for his birthday last year. He had never worn it before. I guessed he didn't like it. But now, after our separation, he was wearing it. His face was dark, and his eyes bore into me with a fierce intensity. I knew why he was angry, but I calmly asked, "What do you need, Mr. Gildon?" "Where have you been these past few days?" His voice was icy. "On annual leave," I replied, not directly answering his question. His fingers curled slightly on the desk. "I asked where you went." "Amaty," I answered honestly, having no reason to hide it. His frown deepened, and a look of confusion flashed in his eyes. He probably didn't know where Amaty was. It was a small and obscure county. How would he know? But if he truly cared about me, he would know. I had mentioned that it was where I was born and that it was the place my parents had most wanted to take me to. He