Ch. 19: After the Fall

The city never really slept, and tonight neither did he.

There was a history between them that neither would name, written in the things they did not do. "You shouldn't have come," he said, and the words landed softer than they were meant to. For a heartbeat the careful distance between them thinned to nothing at all.

For a heartbeat the careful distance between them thinned to nothing at all. For a heartbeat the careful distance between them thinned to nothing at all.

"I'm not asking you to forgive me," Emily said. "I'm asking you to listen." Emily crossed the room slowly, aware of every step, of the way he was watching without seeming to.

The truth, when it finally came, was smaller and sharper than she had imagined.

Emily crossed the room slowly, aware of every step, of the way he was watching without seeming to. For a heartbeat the careful distance between them thinned to nothing at all.

The door closed softly, but the sound of it stayed with her for a long time.