t said my husband,

wildland firefighters who jumped out

ery, showing how he' d died saving me from

was unrecoverable,

been burned to the ground along with

re life, to follow him to California. For five years, I built our life aro

e was

n't breathe. In the sterile guest room of a friend's house, I swal

ke down the door and rushed me to the hospi

muffled blur of beeps and hushed voices. Then, a sound

i

y hospital room door, talking t

e story is solid. Ever

am, are you sure about this? Ava's in the

of the warmth I loved. "She has Noah. She has he

next words were a

Ethan died, she's been a mess. I have to

lled in a car crash months ago

practical. "I'll use his identity, his money. It's the o

silent and hot against my skin. The man I worshipped, the hero, was alive. An

s to her," Liam instructed his friend.

A worthless piece

the man I loved. Lying in that hospital bed, I felt the last flicker of my

it would be mine alone. I would protect it. I woul