Jessica Ellison perched on the rusted metal railing of her hotel room’s balcony. She stood up, fingers of one hand gripping the rough wall next to her for balance. The crisp fall breeze tousled her long, strawberry blonde hair across her face, whipped her silk nightgown against her legs. Loss and grief twisted her gut and clawed her heart. She stared down eight stories into the empty park below. The clock tower bell rang out twice, slicing into the calm silence of early morning. The chimes startled her, nearly toppling Jessica. Adrenaline rushed through her body. A sadistic laugh ripped through her tears as she found herself clinging to the brick wall for safety. She let go, dropping her hands to her sides. Her toes curled over the wrought iron, steadying her ever so slightly as she leaned into the oncoming wind.

Nick was gone. She’d watched him tumble down the hotel steps, held him in her arms as he struggled for his final breath.