. The white ceiling of the hospital room was the first thing I saw. A du

rs. Hayes, I'm Dr. Miller. You had a bad fall. You sustained some intern

y hand instinctively went to my stomach, which now felt hollow and e

sn't looking at me. He was holding Tiffany's hand as she sobbed quietly

croaked, my

irritation. "You're awake." He gestured toward Tiffa

. I had just lost our child, a child he didn't even know e

he doctor said, giving

ou owe Tiffany an apology," he said in a low voice, so the doctor couldn

ed, tears finally blurring

right now. Don't mess this up for me." He leaned closer. "You still have all those drawings your grandmother left you,

y. My own work. He was holding my entire identity h

ep was agony, my body a map of bruises and aches. But the phy

ood in the kitchen, leaning heavily on the counter for support, f

showing her something on his phone, his head close to hers. The intim

to peel it in one long, continuous spiral, just like he used to do for me

le to Tiffany. She took a delicate bite, smil

nd, his eyes met mine across the room. There was no w

sual, almost an afterthought. "Where's that old key your grandmother left you? The one

t, had given it to me on her deathbed. "This is for a real emergency, my

he wan