His whole department was there, so naturally, I was expected to ride in his car.

I instinctively reached for the passenger door, only to see Nina already sitting there, touching up her lipstick in a compact mirror.

Leo noticed I hadn't gotten in the car and quickly tried to cover. "Nina gets carsick. She feels better in the front."

I didn't say anything. Nina put on a remorseful face. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Talia. I completely forgot the passenger seat is yours. I'll get out."

As she spoke, she even let out a little dry heave. The car wasn't even moving yet, and she was already "carsick."

"It's fine," I said flatly, and got into the back seat.

Before, I might have cared. Now, she could sit there with a dog for all I cared.

From the back seat, I could see half of Leo's face in the rearview mirror. It was a view I'd never had before.

He still looked as handsome and ambitious as he did as a teenager, like that day he stood on stage and gave a speech about his dream of becoming a great doctor, how his hands were born to hold a scalpel and save thousands of lives.

In the end, what did he hold onto? Who did he save?

Our son? Me? Or his little Nina?

I shook my head and looked out the window, my ears filled with Nina's chirping voice, endlessly complimenting Leo on how brilliant a certain surgery was, how handsome he looked holding a scalpel, how his technique was the best in the country…

We arrived at a rustic, farm-to-table place out in the country. Two large tables were just enough for Leo’s entire department, including the interns.

The Dean naturally took the head of the table. Leo sat next to him, and Nina slid into the seat right beside Leo.

I saw Leo's brow furrow for a second. He whispered something to Nina, and she put on a wounded expression, half-lifting herself from her chair as if to move.

I didn't give her the chance. I just found an empty seat and sat down.