r name. The ink was black and final. It was a surgical procedure. She was cutting away the diseased part of her life. She had an almost physical ne

d in with a bag from her favorite Thai resta

said, coming over to kiss he

r mouth. She didn't pull away, but she didn't respond. She just watched hi

he said, unpacking the conta

g home. But Ava saw everything. She saw the faint smudge of pink lipstick on his collar, a shade she never wore. She smelled the fa

ke concern. "You're so quiet tonight. Are y

f the impact. The action had saved him from serious injury but had shattered her leg, leaving her with a long and painful recovery. For a while, the doctors said she might never wal

e," she said,

own opposite her, his eyes full of what looked like adora

m, and felt a profound sense of detach

e asked, her voice quiet but carryi

he first time all night, his perfect mask slipped. His

little too quickly. "It was with the investors f

lmost pathetic. She didn't push. She did

on the table, buzzed. He glanced at it, and a flash

ng up abruptly. "I have

most of the way but not completely. She didn't

she doesn't know anything... Is the baby

k of strained apology. "Something's come up a

kiss her goodbye

," sh

tion. She gave him nothing. He looked at her one last time, a flick

tched him go, and in that moment, any lingering sliver of doubt, any microscopic hope tha