I gave up my coveted chance to stay at the university. It didn’t matter. Brian didn’t sign the divorce papers. Thirty days of silence came and went and I heard through the grapevine that he’d been in a car accident on the very day I declined the offer to stay.

Apparently, he was in a rush to confirm the retention list for students. My roommate mentioned it offhandedly, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. Was he worried about me staying? Or was it Kate he feared losing?

I tried not to think about it, but I couldn’t ignore the fact that her name was also on the list.

Three days later, my classmates organized a visit to the hospital. I went too, though I didn’t go inside. From the doorway, I saw Brian lying in the hospital bed. Kate was by his side, feeding him fruit, laughing as if nothing had ever gone wrong.

That sight broke something in me. I turned and left without saying a word.

The next day, I boarded a plane to London.

***

A New Beginning