“I'm sorry, Bastien. I know it means a lot to you, but I can't... I can't say I belong to someone. I just... I can’t.”

“It’s okay, really,” Bastien said, kissing her gently, though his eyes revealed a quiet sorrow. “I’ll go check on some paperwork before we leave.”

“Okay…” Kate watched him go. His mood had clearly changed. She hugged the puppy close.

“Oh Shadow, why am I like this? It’s just two words… but I can’t say them.”

The little pup licked her cheek. “You understand me, don’t you?”

Bastien entered his office, poured himself a whiskey and lit a cigarette. The smoke curled lazily through his fingers as he stared blankly out the window.

“Kate… Kate… Kate…” he whispered, his voice low and broken. “Why won’t you be mine, Kitty?”

A knock broke his trance.

“Come in,” he muttered.

Lucca stepped inside. “Sir, the car to the airport will arrive in thirty minutes.”

“Alright. Check if Kate needs anything.”

“Yes, sir. Are you… okay?”

“How would you feel if the only woman you've ever loved r