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He shakes his head “Thank you If you, ue your mind, your job is always open”

“I appreciate that” But I can’t take Evan up on it Instead, I give hi the ith a hug and a s Evan will explain Give hiood one”

“The best,” Nia says auto my face for answers

“Take care of each other Goodbye”

Afterwith Evan, I return torooray, just like ray

I’d give anything right now to be in Sloan’s apart personality, rather than nearly four thousandoff the need to shed unmanly tears

But I can’t sit here and feel sorry fora new future Leaving Stratus—and Evan—was fucking difficult Unfortunately, that was the easy part

My next steps are much harder

I hly ten et working and for me to let her knohen I’m ready to take the appropriate next step

Sing, I end that call, then place another, this one using a burner phone I picked up on my way here I don’t really expect much, but I have to try

I’h her voice sounds cautious “Sloan O’Neill”

It’s Sloan Shaw, damn it But I can’t insist she take my name when I’m sure she doesn’t want to stay married to me

“It’s Bas Please don’t hang up,” I rush to say “I just called to tell you three things Then, if you want, I’ll go away—for good”

She hesitates a long time before she lets out a resolute breath “What?”

“Last tiether, we had unprotected sex I’nant, I’d like to knoant to be an involved father—the kind neither of us had growing up You hter shouldn’t suffer”