“When you can give without expecting anything in return, you have mastered the art of living.”

Lionel

~~~

Seating beside her, I mimicked her dipped-in-the-pool feet, the ice-cold water hugging my skin, numbing my legs for a couple of seconds before I adapted and wriggled my toes. Silence settled between us like an unwanted companion, my thoughts running wild, draining me completely.

“Tell me it’s not true,” I whispered.

She huffed and palmed her face, looking anywhere but me. My stomach churned with dread, her reaction was enough of an answer but I still needed her to confirm it. I threw my arms up when she stayed quiet and rephrased...