his composure

tone carefully neutral.

h her?" Ava asked, the wor

urse not. That was a lifetime ago. She's an old friend,

ed for h

ed her h

is denial was chilling.

s eyes, hear it in the forc

e," she said,

ot just for him, but for hersel

licker of irritatio

physical rejection. It was c

you? Who's been putting t

le, concerned, but there w

s phone, lying on the coffe

ame flashed

, then back at A

immediately. But then it

exasperated sigh,

ce was impatient, but there was

as his expre

dened, his

ou okay? Whe

then said, "Stay right the

up, his

va, already moving towards the doo

rtment before Ava cou

Again. Fo

certainty set

She needed to kno

ker. He'd insisted

phone. His car was headi

er keys and p

azardly outside a chic café i

window, sh

er a table, his ar

hysterical. She

ly fine, a small, triumphant smile playi

r, his expression fu

oment, the scene etching

complete,

to the same hospital as before,

hem there this time

up appointment for an unrelated blo

apers at the nurses' station, she over

his emergency contact and health proxy. Chang

itter taste

emergencies, Isa

ers, her hand stea

igned lay on her dresser. He ha

touch with hers. The pro

riend, called Ava. He sounded sobe

e said what I did the other nigh

ad?" Ava asked, her vo

y're trying to pressure her into an arranged marriag

cold knot formin

e background, his voic

ith it. I'll handle it.

still hear him. "And Ava? She'll unders

hips

hung

d a singl

e, the key on the vas

g the ashes. And the finalized divorce dec

FK and boarded a fl

versity near San Francisco, an application she'd submitted

tal vitamins are on your nightstand. Don't forget to take them. Be a g

message, then bl

e sky, leaving New York