The cardiologist’s words hit like distant thunder—three months, maybe less. I sat there, hands folded, as if I hadn’t spent five years folding myself smaller for Michael. When I left the clinic, rain fell in sheets, matching the blur behind my eyes. I didn’t go home. I went to his building. Just to see the light in his window. But I saw her instead—Celeste—laughing inside, wearing my scarf.\n\nI turned away, but someone grabbed my arm. Ashton. 'You look like you’re about to vanish,' he said, voice low. 'Let me keep you here.' Before I could answer, a black car pulled up. Mr. X stepped out, umbrella in hand. 'They’ll destroy you if you stay,' he warned. 'But I can make sure they don’t touch you.'\n\nMy chest tightened—not just from the disease. From the weight of being wanted again, when all I wanted was to disappear. Do I let Ashton take me somewhere warm? Do I get in the car with Mr. X? Or do I face Michael and Celeste now, knowing I have nothing left to lose?