Evelyn’s documents had been accepted.
No support arrangement had been renewed.
The scholarship’s first payment was scheduled for Monday.
All of that existed whether I looked at it or not.
I stood at the sink with the ceramic mug in my hand.
The scene was almost absurdly familiar.
Water.
Dish towel.
A small chip against my thumb.
Months earlier, a crystal glass had broken beside my hand while Julian told me to be careful with myself.
That night he left for a gala with Victoria.
Told me I lacked the presence he needed.
Told me to stay home.
Told me tomorrow would be easier if I stayed out of the way.
Then told me I had no idea who had been carrying me.
In a way, he had been right about one thing.
Someone had been carrying more of our life than he understood.
It simply wasn’t him.