e convenience store had jus

offee cans on the top shelf, burn

she didn't need to turn

, suit immaculate, his eyes

ng his anger down. "Ghosting me? Playing disappearin

. She kept arran

calls out of spite, he would show up with a cold face, usin

sh it off with a casual, "Let's not do this a

. She was like a tamed bird, unab

didn't want to pl

forward, grabbed her wrist, a

e saw her face c

own frighte

ye sockets hollow, the once full che

sp it felt like a dead branch, a

voice sudde

back, but her vision went bl

, only to realize she was as li

sinfectant filled the

ed and saw Julian sitting besi

" His voice was unusual

er mouth, he

cancer. That she only had a few months left. That th

d leave her mouth, the wa

t, her smile gentle. "Julian, I heard

red her voice, just loud eno

ending to be pitiful, just to soften your heart. Do you remember last ti

ession change

his concern turning in

er know how to speak properly. Al

k completely int

explain. In his mind, her pain h

ook Lila's hand. "Do

ed. Footsteps

ally bro

e in the blanket a

derstood. But because she had loved a man who couldn't e

le body shook, until he

ficially announces his engagement today! Fiancée Lila Bennett

his arm around Lila's w

ned countless times, a family heirloom left by his mother

he photo until h

give a title. He had just neve

from the back of her hand

ecovered yet! The doctor said you're severely

voice hoarse but firm.

nal twenty-fou

Aria received Julian's