A Moment of Smoke and Ashes

Summary

My father had a stroke abroad, dying. My boyfriend Liam, who was supposed to be with him, was unreachable.

Dad’s last wish was to see me settled. I called Liam again and again until someone answered—cheers and toasts in the background: "To a long, happy life!" He’d married his childhood sweetheart, Anna, to fulfill her mother’s birthday wish.

I begged him to come, just to stand with me once, for my father’s sake.

Liam’s voice was cold, impatient. "Nina, are you faking your father’s death just to pressure me into marriage?"