ase away the fog in my head. I sat at the kitchen table, cradling a mug of tea that had long since

gna

ng with it an overwhelming mix of

stared back at me from the photo, a snapshot of happier times. Daniel had always been my rock, th

tton, my heart poundi

l," I whispered

went to v

ng back in my chair. Of course he'd be busy. His job had him traveling constantly,

My stomach churned as I set the phone down. I wasn't expecting anyone

ough the pee

s set, his eyes burning with a determination I hadn't seen in years. I thought a

e again, hard

there," he called, his vo

y unlocked the door, opening it just en

he said, his tone s

he door. "There's nothin

ther let him in or slam the door in his face. I chose neither,

like this," I snapped, following hi

ing onto mine with an intensity that m

between us like a live w

o steady my breathing. "Th

ess? Are you serious right now? I got an email from the

sted. Of cours

o go snooping," I s

y sent it to me because they think I'm

g from my lips before I could stop

and there and act like I'm crazy. I know how dates wo

ith heat. "That doe

t it? You think I haven't replayed that night a thousand times in my head? It was t

es, the weight of his words cr

. "You're not going to shut me out of this,

lf? You're not even sure, and you're standing here ac

at baby is mine. I can feel it, Elena. And I'm not goi

the sheer force of his conviction. "You don't get to decide how I f

wed up. I know I hurt you in ways I can never take back. But this isn't about us any

how much his words were affecting me. "You don't get to swoop in and play hero now. You

I'm not the same man I was then. I'm not going to let my mis

ound my heart closing tighter

said, his voice softer now. "But I'm n

n us thick and suffocating. Finally, Ethan le

ce low but firm. "I'm not going any

ollowed was deafening. I sank onto the couch, my h

mind, his certainty like

round my heart and my life. But now, everything was crumbli