Morning sun beat between the curtains as Ariel sat in the living room, her nerves still tight from the bitter event of last night. Dave's return had sent chills down her spine, and though Jayden's constant reassurance had eased her thinking, the fringes of insecurity refused to disappear.

Jayden walked in with a smile still on his face. He was holding a small envelope in his hand, which he stretched out to her.

"What is it?" she asked, her head bent to one side as she took the envelope from him.

"Open it and find out," Jayden said, almost playfully.

Ariel ran her finger under the flap and opened it,...