She spun on him, eyes shining. “How did you think this conversation would go, Stefan? Did you think that I'd smile and wish you good luck? Kiss you goodbye and pretend I’m not terrified you’ll never come back?”

His throat tightened. “I’ll come back to you.”

Her laugh was hollow. “You can’t promise that.”

He took another step forward, desperate. “Alana, please.”

But she turned away, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. “It's been what? Barely four weeks. You ...