ing the sharp corner of her nightstand. A dull, throbbing pain exploded at t

ears, she could hear Liam yelling Sophia's name, pulling her away. The last thing she saw

chair by her side, peeling an apple with a small knife, the peel coming off in one long, continuous s

I'm

ia's transgressions over the years. "I'm sorry she said that." "I'm sorry she did

Ava asked, her voice raspy. "That sh

was an accident. She's just...

e same excuses. She felt a profound weariness se

"Okay," he finally said, his voic

on Ava's head. "A mild concussion," she said. "You'll need to take

e peeling it. He just held it, staring at it. "You've been planning this, ha

There was no poin

something other than weary obligation in his eyes.

w this was coming." She paused, then added, "Besides

shocked. "How did yo

gious research position. A new star

le. He seemed to be seeing her for the first time, not as a busin

st. "You knew about Sophia's condition, didn't you? The

own at his

uty, his need to fix things, to save people. He was trying to give Sophia the

and empty. She turned her head to face the window, a clear dismis

n, of his easy smile and the uncomplicated love they had shared. That wa

itated at the door. "Ava," he said

"No one you need to wo

window at the city lights, feeling a strange mix of pain and lib