Page 53 of If You Love Me

Sadness. Regret. Defeat.

He offered me a weak smile. “Good morning, love.”

“Good morning.”

“I was thinking we could take Summer to the Fall Festival this weekend. We go every year. I thought you might enjoy it.”

I nodded. “Sure.”

“Great. I’ll pick y’all up around eleven.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

I wasn’t looking forward to spending time with him at all, but it was for my baby, so I would suck it up. I blew a breath of relief as Summer Rose came running into the room with her backpack.

“I’m ready!” she announced.

“Give me some love,” I said, opening my arms. She didn’t hesitate to give me a big, tight hug. “Have a good day. I love you.”

“I love you too. Bye, Nana! Bye, Paw Paw! Love you!”

“Bye, baby!” my parents called. “We love you too!”

She headed for the door while Tyrion stared at me for a moment. Reaching out, he grabbed my hand and kissed my knuckles.

“Have a good day, love.”

“You too.”

I folded my arms and watched as he and our daughter walked out of the house, feeling like half my heart was leaving with them.

17

Evenie

“How are you feeling today, Evenie?”

I sat in Dr. Stewart’s office with my arms and legs crossed, staring out the window. My mood hadn’t lifted at all since this morning. I really didn’t want to be here, but I knew Ineededto be here.

“I have a flight of emotions right now.”

“What seems to be the most pressing?”

I snorted. “I miss my husband. I’m still very much in love with him, and while I know he loves me, he’s in love with another woman. I know it’s unreasonable, but I wasn’t expecting to come home to that.”

She nodded. “Your feelings are valid, Evenie. Sometimes, it’s hard accepting change.”

“Nothing was supposed to change. Being kidnapped was never on my bucket list, Dr. Stewart.”

“I understand. It changed your life in so many unplanned ways.”

“Too many. I feel like I’m just getting to know my daughter. I’m grateful her dad did the legwork with her knowing me, but it hurts me that I missed every monumental moment of her life. I never got to hear her first words or see her take her first steps. I didn’t get to experience the joys of watching her grow up. All of that was stolen from me, and I’m so fucking angry about it.

“Then to come home and learn that my husband is engaged to another woman. That was the nail in the proverbial coffin. I can’t even hate her how I want to because she was there for them when I couldn’t be. She took on the motherly role to my child, and Summer loves her… she loves her.”

Tears threatened the corners of my eyes. Dr. Stewart reached for a tissue and handed it to me. I dabbed my eyes and took a deep breath.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

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