Madison’s face materialized before me—the curve of her lips, the way she listened without judgment. She deserved more. She deserved more than what I could give.

I turned to look out the window behind me and Joe followed. We silently watched the bustling city beneath us for a moment or two before he spoke up again. “Sometimes we make choices out of fear,” he said, his tone solemn and heavy. I almost turned to him in concern, it was so rare for Joe to be this serious about ...