The stock recovered within three weeks. Graham’s hearing did not. Dr. Kim explained that some inner-ear cells had been permanently damaged. Hearing aids improved conversation, but music would never sound exactly as it had before.

Certain frequencies were gone. In crowded rooms, voices collided into confusion.

For several days, Graham refused visitors. He had survived. Yet survival did not feel triumphant. The house was quiet after the investigators left. Every room reminded him of Vanessa; her clothes were gone, but faint traces of her perfume lingered in the closets.

Engagement photographs still appeared online.

Chapter 8 — What Water Does

One evening, Graham stood alone beside the lake, watching the waves strike the frozen shoreline. Lily approached in purple boots Nora had bought with her first paycheck after the arrests.

She carried Oliver, now repaired with his blue button eye.