In the mirror, Timothy stood behind her, carefully drying her long, damp hair.

He was always like this.

Every so often, in the smallest details, he'd remind her that he could be attentive, thoughtful even.

He did it so effortlessly.

Jessica had no idea how he managed to seem so calm, as if nothing that had ever broken her heart had anything to do with him, as if he'd never done anything to hurt her in the first place.

He acted as though he had every right to do as he pleased, to live as he wished. Jessica sat quietly, hands folded in her lap.

She knew if she tried to take the hairdryer from him, it would only irritate him.

She wasn't the type to argue. She didn't see the point.

Her hair was gorgeous-thick, glossy, and dark.

When her hair was finally dry, it fell in a waterfall down to her waist, catching the light as she moved.

Timothy put the hairdryer away, leaned down, and pressed a kiss to her hair. His voice was low and rough, "I'm going to shower. Wait for me in bed."

The deep, husky timbre of his voice lingered in the room even after he'd disappeared into the bathroom.

This couldn't go on.

If they stayed in the same room, and he tried something tonight, she knew she wouldn't be able to stop him.

he hadn't been traveling for work at

It made her restless.

how she might

a warm

familiar feeling-she let out a small

Her period had started.

her lower abdomen, and her back throbbed

pulled out a pad, and set

later, the cramps began-mild at first, then sharper,

pain was sharper than usual. Maybe it was the cancer making everything worse, weakening her body in ways she

came out of the bathroom, she steadied herself against the pain

eyes narrowed just

period started?" he

She nodded.

a hand to her aching stomach, and slipped

saw everything, every

time she came out, Timothy was gone from the

Better that way.

have to think of ways to turn down his

pulled back the covers and climbed into

cold, the cramps sharper

first day was always the hardest, but she'd get through it if she just waited it

eyes, willing sleep to come. Barely five

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