Nora’s POV

“I’ll be leaving soon, Lily,” I said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. “You should take care of yourself, okay?”

I started to stand, but her hand shot out and closed around my wrist.

“Don’t leave me yet,” she whispered. “Stay with me.”

Her grip was tight, almost desperate. For a second we just looked at each other two people who were supposed to know every secret of each other’s hearts, yet right now we felt like strangers.

Lily’s mom watched from the doorway. Her face twisted with a quiet, heartbreaking sadness. Her own daughter felt strange to her.

“Thank you, Nora… for saving her,”...