4: The

t bring herself to open it. Not yet. Not without giving Leo a chance to explain. But each time sh

confront hi

wa

her hand a little too tightly. Waited through one night when he fell asleep on her chest and mu

Thursday, Emilia cou

laying a lazy game of cards. She slid the envelope f

fr

pen it?" he a

. "I wanted yo

ghtly as he reached for the letter. He didn't open it e

he said. "To tel

?" Her voice cra

were darker than she'd ever seen them, filled

s," he said. "Fr

caught. "What ki

Degenerative. I've known since I was nineteen, but I

think. The walls of her apart

time?" she

year. May

at followed wa

me?" she finally said

self. "Like I'm fading. I just wanted to be someone normal to you. Som

lled in

said softly. "I a

g inside him cracked. He reached for her hand and

e whispered. "

ing with his, the unopened letter still be

pared her for this-the ache of knowing she'd love