ter. "He wrote to me for four years after we b

unset. He was holding her, his face buried in her hair, a look of pure bliss on his face. I remembered that

egging Aurore for a bite of her ice cream. It was a side of him I had never seen. H

etters. I opene

t Aurore,

He had never cal

rst anniversary. I remembered that day perfectly. We'd had a romantic din

t still belongs to you. This celebration feels hollow. Every happy mome

r my birthday? He wrote to her about how cold he felt without her. The day he got the first round of major funding for his te

istmas. I had spent days planning the perfect mea

ended to enjoy it for her sake, but all I cou

had always, onl

ade me jump. I shoved my phone under

ake?" he asked,

ying with her tonight,"

e have to keep up the appearance that she and I aren't 'to

he water started running. A moment later, his phone screen lit

ur arms a

o real. Just l

you're mine again,

f pain. I curled into a ball, m

bathroom, a towel around his waist. He saw m

ftening with guilt. He thought I was crying over

t," he said softly. "It

to see this through. "It's fine," I lied. "But if we're supposed to be keeping our di

his eyes. He seemed to be looking for a hid

ou're right. That's a

After this is all over, Arah. I promise. I'll c

and a bitter smi

was no 'after'. It was already