ng while she waited. It was as if the quiet of this house weighed even

of the lamp casting shadows across his sharp features. He had just come home, and she

le

f rooted to the spot. She had to know what he was

r. He stood, the letter still in his hand, and ran his fing

aid, his voice

was able to stop herself. Stepping into the s

face for a moment before settling into an u

he asked with no e

able to meet h

ween them like an invisible chasm. Finally

u want," he said, "

would be like this, but after h

he said softly, "but what is ri

crossing his arms. "And you thi

let them fall. "We've been living like strangers for four y

ened, but he

he one who agreed to this arrangement, and I knew what I was getting in

e last word, and she de

he said

er in his eyes-regret, perhaps, or guilt. But it was there

aid, businesslike. "You'll get everyt

," she interrupted, her

yebrow. "Then w

ce," she fi

e, but he didn't argue. Instead, he

hen," he said,

ly-that he would say something, anyth

out of the study. This chapter of her life was finally co

f what belonged to her fit into a suitcase. She was leaving behind the memories of a lif

her off. She had not expe

ear slid down her cheek. She brushed it aw

onto the curb, she heard

called out, h

r throat. For a moment, she thought he might

d was, "Be car

ersweet smile on h

ack, the sound of the door closin