ds tightly in her lap, staring at the tall buildings and trees passing by the w

y, a quiet comment about the weather, anything to bridge the distance. But after dinner, aft

ll lingered on his lips. But it hadn't been for her. She could still see him at the house, lea

d, the way his fingers brushed the tabl

even tried

t Reese wasn't just an old friend. She was his childhood sweetheart, the girl his family had always wa

nto the driveway. As Dante turned off the engine, his phone lit up.

ee

oldly written a

urned cold, sharp enoug

aid quietly, his vo

ed out wit

hing the still-warm space beside her. He had been there recentl

bacon and eggs filled the kitchen as she set breakfast

reakfast is ready

room, he picked up a file from the coffee table and came

furrowed. "

e was calm, too calm. His h

caught. "F

er chest tighten. "Do you see a

. why? What did I do? Di

u're not enough for me. You came from an average family. You dropped

because of us. I dropped out because your mother told me

ed to marry you was because we were expecting a child. Now

rt, is back. We've been married for a year, and losi

whatever you

e sank to the floor. "Don'

though she was in the wa

's house, not to the drunken rages, not to the fear

lpless. She knew it was useless announcing the pregn

g back at her. Her hand shook as she picked up the pen. Refusing would only m

back, Dante was lying on the bed, scrolling through his phone as

last time. "If my absence makes you happy, then

pped away. Her knees felt weak, yet s

s only

wasn't