of disinfectant and the soft, r

hed with what looked like deep concern. He

ce a low, soothing hum. "You scared th

ke a violation. It was a performance. I could see the subtle calculations behin

The movement was small, but it

I said. My vo

ion and dehydration," he insisted, trying to take my hand agai

ering. The fog of shock was starting to

ia

ce was

d in that roo

icker of something-annoyance, maybe-passe

rworked. You must

going to marry so

. It was a statement. A fact

an burdened by a woman' s emotions. He lea

, "we' ve been together a long time. We' re adults. Some things.

understanding, Liam? The one where I spend ten years of my life

ning cool. "Our partnership has been incred

words raw and quiet. "You pr

y things. Life gets complicated. I have responsibili

r to the private h

ful, with wide, innocent eyes and a soft, gentle d

d of woman a man like Liam woul

u

and melodic. "I was so worried. Yo

elicate hand on his arm and complet

ace melting into a look of genuine affection that

gently, taking her hand. "A

a piece of company equipm

ething unreadable in her eyes before she arra

d. "Liam's told me so much abo

mmering in my chest

rm gathering on my f

outside? I'll be right there," he

t, the scent of lilies lingering in the air.

o me, his patience

talking about, Ava. This d

heavy stone in my chest. He was a stranger. The man I loved, t

e he started moving around the room, gathering his t

screen lit up.

Aegis logo, or a pict

e, smiling softly, bat

he hospital room. He had been here for hours, w

ir, his personal tablet was open. The

s of pi

hem were

eping. Candid shots, posed shots, intimate moments capt

e his lock screen. He had never kept a s

aid. "You know we can't be sen

e was nothing

t just that he didn' t love me. It was that he had never, eve

ysical force, and it final