The morning light filtered through the blinds, striping the empty half of the bed beside him. James groaned, reaching a hand out to the cool sheets where Jennifer should have been. Her flight to Singapore had left yesterday afternoon, and the silence in the apartment was a low hum he couldn’t quite ignore.

A text from her, sent from some airport lounge, glowed on his phone screen: Thinking of you. Go show Dr. Mercer your excellent progress! Xo.

He smiled, a little sadly. Excellent progress. Right.