xhaustion pressing down on her like a crushing force. She had bare

usation. His arms were crossed, his stance rigid. "

hit her l

blurring as fresh tears roll

grief at Mia's apartment, curled up in a cold, unfamiliar bed, shattered beyo

d he mention

heer heartbreak of it all

king like this?" He gestured at her... her wrinkled dress, the dark circles under her swollen eyes, the lifeles

sob escape

d. Her voice was hoarse from cryi

"What are you

d again, her voice rising, thick with raw pain. "Do you care where

d, the words catch

it. Couldn't force

u're being dramatic. Whatever it is, we'll deal with it la

ver it

something ins

ve the energy?" She shook her head, her nails digging into her palms. "Our son just-

the room fell

his lips parting sligh

hat, I was running through the streets in the middle of the night, trying to save our son! And you-" She pointed at him, her

. hoped that maybe he'd finally feel something. That maybe the

en, he

unning a hand down his

her vision swimming w

ll you have to say?" Her voice was

thing." He rubbed his temples as if he were the one exhausted, as if he were the one who had

the floor til

cause a

d agony swirling into somethi

nly piece of happiness s

erything for... cared more about keeping up app

she stared at Alex in disbelief. His face twisted into something resembling guilt, bu

hrough his hair. "I was caught up with work. You

ug into her

Mia's arms, mourning the tiny life she had

ork?" Her voice was barely above a

I don't mean it like that." His voice softened, coaxing. "You know how much pressure I'm under. I'm doing everything for us, o

as that serious? Our child is dead, Alex!" Her voice cracked, but she didn't care. She wanted to screa

sonable. "I know you're hurting, okay? But what do you want me to do

e fo

ion. How could he say that? How could he act like

ing decisions while you're emotional. We can talk about the funeral later, but please, Ashley..." His voice dropped, s

reath

ighten. She had seen this before, this careful manipulation,

away now, she wou

ying, she'd be

he would be the one r

er like a crushing force. This was how it always went. No matter how much he

ike this, baby." He reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his to

of tears bur

get

ever felt