She thanks Lana

Mia does not let go of her hand right away.

“Thank you,” she says. “For everything. For the last few days, when I wasn’t here.”

Lana nods. She does not fill the space.

“Thank you for being the first,” Mia says. “In the fantasy. The one I named. And for being the one who told us to end it. That took more than staying would have.”

She squeezes once.

“And thank you for not being jealous. For not trying to steal him. I know what the role could have turned into. You didn’t let it. You handed it back.”

Mia smiles, small and real.

“You’re the best fake wife I could have dreamed of. You’re going to be a wonderful wife someday. For some lucky guy who gets the real version. He’ll be lucky.”

Lana smiles. It reaches her eyes. “Congratulations. Again. On the baby. On coming home. Thank you for being understanding. For not making this ugly. I appreciate it.”

She stands. Her things are already packed. A bag by the door she set there before the airport, quiet, ready. She goes and picks it up. Coat. Keys. She looks at both of them, Adam at the table, Mia still turned toward her.

“I have one last surprise for you,” she says to Mia.