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“Mom” My voice is sharp, and I hope she can tell how serious I am “You have to trust me this time Just like you had to trust me with Sloan”

She looks down at the table I take the chair across fro in both hands The war it I don’t trust my stomach yet

When she speaks again, her voice is quiet “I’ve also never seen you so in love with a ut ive it time I’e Do you need to stay with me a few days?”

My first instinct is to say no, until I consider the week ahead One iet through it alone “If you can help me with Dex’s birthday I want him to have a happy first birthday”

“Of course!” she answers quickly

My insides clench at what I have to say next I feelits contents, which at this point is nothing

“After that” I pause to steadyplans” She htens on

“If it’s too much, I can ask Elaine—”

“No! I just What if we just say the plans are on hold?” The flicker of hope in her voice spears the pain in my heart I want to crawl into a dark place and never come out I want to turn back time and never have s, and

I hear Dex in the other rooive up my little boy If all of this means I have him, it’s worth it

Steadyingis off I can’t marry him”

“Darling, I’ too hasty You’ve been hurt—badly, I can see that At the sa so special—”

I can’t listen to anyme little by little and she doesn’t even knohy I can’t tell her the extent of his deception or how deep it goes without risking police involvement

Holding out ht now Help h his birthday We can deal with the rest after”

She’s satisfied, and I’ on the table and head back to my bedroom I only barely hear her say she’ll take Dex for the day before I push through the blankets I curl into a ball surrounded by the scent of warmth and woods that used to soothe , and who couldn’t trustIt’s a scent I used to crave ere apart Now it only breaks my heart