How to Fake It in Society

Titus had acted decisively, with strength and self-respect. Two days later, all those things felt grossly overrated.

He was lonely, and he was sad, and he was very much not consoled by having done the right thing. One day he would feel that consolation, but in the aching emptiness of Nico’s absence, all he felt was that if his erratic lover walked in, he would fall into his arms.

So it was for the best Nico wasn’t going to walk in. Alma had told him this morning that the cousins would be heading to Dover tomorrow, on their way to France. She had added, “And good riddance,” but her eyes were red.

Nico was leaving the country, it was over forever, and that was all there was to it.