Love in the Past Tense

"The day before the hospital posted the annual fellowship nomination list, my fiancé gave my slot to another woman.

Someone asked him:

""Lena spent three years prepping for this. She hasn't taken a single real vacation.""

""You're giving her spot to Sophie. Aren't you worried she'll leave you?""

Adrian Cole went quiet for a beat. Then his voice came out steady. Certain.

""She won't.""

""Sophie's father, Dr. Grant, left behind an unfinished research project before he died. Now her mother's been diagnosed with a serious illness. She can't afford to wait.""