In this lifetime, neither of us would ever reach Ashton again.

The thought twisted something deep inside me, the way it always did whenever I thought of him.

The worst part? I couldn’t tell her yet. Not now. Not until I was certain her heart—both physically and emotionally—could handle it. I’d have to talk to Nora, get Meredith to give her a thorough check-up.

Because eventually, the truth would have to come out. Ashton was gone, and while ...