I was still talking to my mother when I heard footsteps behind me.
Daniel entered the kitchen.
I turned toward him, expecting a smile.
Instead, I immediately noticed that something was wrong.
His hair was untidy, his face looked unusually pale, and dark circles had formed beneath his eyes.
He looked as though he had spent the entire night fighting a battle I knew nothing about.
“Good morning,” I said gently.
He barely responded.
His gaze dropped to my hand.
More specifically, to the ring.
His expression tightened.
“Mom, hold on a second,” I said into the phone.
I covered the microphone and looked at Daniel.
“What’s wrong?”
He rubbed his forehead.
“Nadya, we need to talk.”
I tried to smile.
“About the wedding? Because I haven’t even decided whether I want a small ceremony or—”
“Please,” he interrupted. “Not now.”
His voice was so serious that my smile disappeared.
