Ch. 20: Where We Begin

The letter had arrived without a name, and that was the first thing that frightened her.

Money could buy a great many things, he had learned, but never the one thing that was wanted most. For a heartbeat the careful distance between them thinned to nothing at all. Ela 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. There was a history between them that neither would name, written in the things they did not do. "I'm not asking you to forgive me," Ela said. "I'm asking you to listen."

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

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

For a heartbeat the careful distance between them thinned to nothing at all. "I'm not asking you to forgive me," Ela said. "I'm asking you to listen." "I'm not asking you to forgive me," Ela said. "I'm asking you to listen."

Tomorrow would ask its questions. Tonight, she let herself simply breathe.