Laura realized the time had come to confront Daniel, but she wanted the interaction to be on her terms. She drove down to Virginia, heart pounding with anticipation and nerves.

Once there, she stationed herself in the motel parking lot, waiting for the right moment to approach.

When she finally saw Daniel step out of the motel room, her breath caught in her throat. There he was, in the flesh, looking more worn and weary than she remembered.

She watched him for a moment, absorbing the reality of his presence, before stepping out of her car and calling his name.

Daniel froze, his face a portrait of shock and fear as he turned to see Laura standing there, as real and unyielding as the truth he had tried to escape.

His mouth opened, words fumbling out in a mixture of apology and excuses, but Laura raised her hand, silencing him.