. Not the scooter's vibration, his. The old artificial heart, his seven-year companion, his seven-year curse, was stuttering again. Each

livia. His Olivia. Radiant, powerful, accepting applause. The CEO who had built an empire from the ashes of their sh

almost ignored it, but a flicker of some

th

t haunted his quietest moments. It was live, he reali

ght hesitation, "who I have the most

he pamphlet in his hand

began, his

her tone hardening. "Leaving me when

en years sitting heavy. He couldn't tell her the truth, not now, not ever. It wo

l on the $50

ng like ash, "I need money. Could

d. Silence. Then, her voice, cold

e no r

ne wen

t showed Olivia, smiling, c

He slid down the wall, the noodle joint's gre