I couldn’t help but flinch when the lights went out, and Jason immediately pulled me into his arms, speaking softly to calm me. “Don’t be scared. I’m here.” 

I had mild night blindness, so the dark terrified me. Jason whispered reassuring words as he reached for the candles. 

Just then, his phone rang again. 

The sound of Zara crying echoed loudly in the otherwise quiet room. 

“Dr. Gunn, the power’s out at my place, and I’m really scared. I can hardly breathe right now.” 

Without a second thought, Jason put down the candle he was holding and grabbed his car keys to head out the door. 

“Zara’s not feeling well. I’ll go check on her and be right back. You light the candle in the meantime.” 

With the phone dead, I clumsily fumbled around for the candle and lighter he left behind, but the candle didn’t even have a wick, making it impossible to light. 

In my panic, I bumped my waist hard against the table edge, and sharp pain shot through me. Just as I was about to fall, I caught myself with my hands, but my burned skin got jostled again. I ended up collapsing onto the floor, gasping for air, like a stranded fish. 

The storm raged outside, and I sat there hugging my knees on the couch, waiting for three long hours, but Jason never returned. 

The next morning, Jason arrived at the door, looking haggard, his collar faintly marked with a pink lipstick stain. He frowned as he pressed the doorbell. 

“I didn’t have my keys last night. I knocked all night, but you didn’t respond.” 

It had rained all night, and I hadn’t slept a wink. I hadn’t heard any knocking at the door. 

“The hotel bed was so hard and uncomfortable. I barely slept.” 

If it were before, hearing him complain, I would have rushed to comfort him, maybe even given him a massage. But now, I just calmly sipped my soup, not even bothering to glance his way.