ble. She had built walls around her heart so high, so impenetrable, that even

whisper, yet sharp as a knife. "What I need is for you to leave me alone

get it. You've been doing everything on your own. I've seen the baker

e one thing she'd poured herself into, the one thing she knew she could control, and the i

sing in her voice. "You think you can just show up after all this time, swoop in

n't seen in him before. "I didn't know about Ethan, Ava," he said, his voice low. "If I had, if

ght of him-her little boy, their son-sent a wave of emotions crashing o

despite her attempt to hold it steady. "You don't get to come in

ned back in his seat, exhaling slowly. "I'm not asking for forgiveness. Not yet. All

let him back in? After everything

e first thing about being a father," she said quietly. "You don't get to come in now, after al

t I want to learn. I want to try. I want to be there fo

xpected from Julian. She had spent years imagining this moment, playing out ev

he hurt and the flicker of somethi

his," she whispered, mor

his tone gentle but firm. "I'm not going anywhere

owed it. His touch was warm, familiar, and despite every

hest tightening. "I have to go.

ing her every movement. "I'll

opened the car door and stepped out, her legs unsteady beneath her. She did

nlocked, and she pushed it open, her eyes scanning the quiet space. Claire

ooking up from her work. "You lo

storm inside her. "I'm fine. Just...

rds, his touch, the way he made her feel. She couldn't deny that part of her wanted to believe him. Wanted to believe that he

et him in? Could s

interrupted by the sharp ringing of her phone. Sh

Harol

r only a moment

, her voice steady despit

ed through the line. "If you don't come to terms with t

ok a deep breath. "You'll have to take me to

cold. "We'll see ab

Her heart pounded in her chest. She wasn't just fighting for

e this battle alone? Or would she have to m