I brought Ashton back to Kehlmark.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, bathing the sky in golden hues, I found myself lost in thoughts of us growing old together. But I couldn’t bring myself to leave—not yet. I stayed by his side, pretending he was still here with me.

When I was younger, I overheard my mom talking about how a person’s soul doesn’t just disappear after death. She said it lingers for a while, staying close to the ones they ...