Her heart grew. Tiny bloody buds pushed forth through its thorny cage and unfolded into a cascade of luscious petals, pillow soft and perfect in their pastel pale blooms. They grew from a sea of bitterness and dank regret, transforming the waters into a swell of hope and gentle joy. Their scent swept around her bones and flowed out of her skin, sweet and heady it hid a nip of salt water, the last gasp of a forgotten past.
