Bruce pushed the door open quietly, stepping back into the room he had left Meret in earlier. She was still curled on the bed, laughter spilling from her lips at something on her phone screen. The sound usually warmed him, but this time it only tightened the knot in his chest.

The moment she saw him, her face lit up. She tossed the phone aside and rushed to him, throwing her arms around his waist.

“You took so long,” she said against him, her voice bubbling with joy. “I missed you while ...