s a single, terse text: [Aria is shaken up. Staying with her to make sure she and the baby are okay.] He never asked abo

h faded, the swelling in her throat subsided. B

self driving to the university campus where they had met, a place so saturated with memories it felt like wa

dled together on a bench. He had kissed her then, a soft,

ory was just

very photograph that had won Kelsey her first major award. It was a self-portrait, taken the year she and Bennett fe

"What a beautiful young couple," the woman murmu

nk you! He just spoils me rotten," she said, patting Bennett's chest po

leaned down and kissed the top of Aria's head. "And you make me feel young again," he said, his voice full o

their life had been to him: a part to be played. The dutiful husband, the respon

lsey. It was her simplicity. She was a girl from a different world, unburdened by th

n her chest. But as she rounded a sculpture, she ra

didn't see you." She looked flustered, guilty. "We

to me, Aria," Kelsey said, her voi

ep, twisted her ankle theatrically, and pitched herself toward Kelsey, letting her own forehead connect with the sh

ry. He saw Aria on the ground, bleeding, and Kelsey

ing through the quiet gallery. "Are you so jealous you

, that Kelsey could only stare at him in stunned silence. He thou

obbing Aria into his arms, his voice dropping to a te

nd strode past Kelsey, his eyes burning w

he same hospital, the same emergency room that wa

entioned that Aria's chart noted a mild blood clotting disorder and suggested a precautio

hout hesitation, rolling up his sleeve.

unit safely," a nurse cauti

d our child's life are what matter. If she ne

m the hallway, a silent, invisible witness. He was literally giving his life's blo

' protests. He grew pale, his breathing shallow. After the second unit

tting him on an IV drip in a room

n the doorway,

e, a name escaped his lips i

ia.

ey. Neve

ny vestige of their shared history, died. Ther

r pocket. It was a sec

re ready. Your flight to Paris le

ne, a promise of a futur