ia's

ase the storm brewing inside me. I had always prided myself on being strong, on handling everything on m

eft me, right when I needed him most. And yet, here I was, unable to shake the memory o

curious eyes studying me as I sat on the

e. At his age, I hadn't realized how much he could read me

ing my hair behind my ear. I couldn't let him see the storm bre

sked innocently, his gaze filled with so much love. He didn't know the man he was talking about, but I could

e a whisper. "But we don't need him, Max.

with both love and guilt. I had always tried to protect him from the truth, from the fact that the man I had once l

-

us's

t was enough to unravel every piece of control I thought I had over my life. She had changed-of course, she had-but not in the ways I expected. The years had only made he

The boy she had raised alone, the life she had built without me. I had spent so many years justifying my action

hild. The child I didn't know existe

but my mind was somewhere else. Olivia. Max. I needed to know mo

y assistant, Claire, stood at the door, her expression ser

a hand through my hair. "

The weight of my own regrets pressed down on me. I couldn't let it go, not this time. I had to find her

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ia's

Marcus, his innocent questions stirring up feelings I thought I had buried. I had hoped the sight of him woul

h of recognition, the way his eyes lingered on Max. There had been someth

out him, one that was stable and safe. Max deserved better than to have

e part of me that had carried his child in silence, never able to t

ing at the contact for Marcus. The same number he had used all those years ago, the number I had never deleted.

trembling slightly as the phone rang

ive, like he hadn't expected m

ming out sharper than I in

-

us's

t after everything, I didn't know if she'd even want to speak to

my voice steady, though my mind

ting, as if she had made a

ment of truth. I had no idea what she was g

my voice barely

ied, her voice

. I needed to see her. I needed to understand why sh

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ia's

as going to say to him, or if I was even ready to face him. But there was no avoiding it now. I had

ind raced with a thousand thoughts. How was I supposed to look at him, after everything th

ut there was something different about him now. His eyes were tired, filled with g

from me, his gaze

is moment every day since I left. I know I don't deserve

orgiveness, Marcus," I said, my voice breaking. "I

flicker of realization in his eyes. "Wha

y said the words that had been

s your

eyes wide with disbelief. I saw the shock registe

" he whi

e barely a whispe