Arthur sat near the porch drinking coffee and pretending not to fall asleep.

Claire had visited earlier in the week and left flowers near the lake.

Life continued.

That was what Julian had wanted.

I reached beneath my cardigan and touched the silver ring.

For thirty years, I believed the man who gave it to me had walked away because loving us had become too difficult.

The truth was harder.

He walked away because he believed love required sacrifice.