Page 86 of Unfaithful

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I turned to Nancy. My voice broke as I spoke. "Nancy... I think it's time for Leo to move in. To be here with you and Elena. It's time for me to step back."

She inhaled sharply, her gasp cutting through the quiet of the night. "Are you sure?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. "We know nothing about this guy, Cole. And with Elsa in the mix? I fear for what could happen."

That was what I was afraid of, too. I knew nothing about Leo—who he really was, what kind of father he would be. Without me here, it was probably too much for Nancy to handle alone. And yet, what choice did I have?

"But he's her father, Nancy. He's already filed for paternity and custody. We're just waiting on the court-ordered DNA test, but we all know that's just a formality. Leo is her father."

Nancy shook her head, her voice turning fierce. "Being a father isn't just about blood, Cole. You love her. You've been here for her. You are a great father."

I looked at Elena again, her tiny fingers curled into a fist, her chest rising and falling in the peaceful rhythm of sleep. My heart twisted in pain.

"I tried, Nancy," I whispered. "I tried so damn hard. But it doesn't change the fact that Leo is her real father. He has rights. And if I keep standing in the way, it's only going to hurt her in the long run."

Nancy's eyes flashed with frustration. "And what about you? What about everything you've done for her?"

I let out a shaky breath. "It doesn't matter what I think. The court will decide, and I can't fight a battle I've already lost."

Nancy studied me for a long moment, her expression softening. "You're hurting."

Of course, I was. Every second of this felt like a knife twisting in my chest. But I couldn't let that show. Not when the only thing that mattered was doing what was best for Elena.

"I'll be fine," I said, even though it was a lie. "She's going to have her real father now. That's how it should be."

"What about Sara?" she asked carefully. "Are you going to get her back? You stepped away because you didn't want to burden her with a child from another woman. So... what now?"

That was a hard question to answer.

Because the truth was, I didn't know.

I had agreed to the divorce because I thought it was the right thing to do. Because I couldn't drag her into the mess that was my life. I couldn't bear to see her tied to a child that wasn't hers, to a difficult situation that was never meant to be hers to carry. But now... now everything was different.

Elena wasn't mine. She never had been. And yet, I had lost Sara anyway.

Would she even take me back?

Would she look at me the same way after everything I had done? After I had believed in something that had never been real instead of fighting for us?

I dragged a hand down my face, letting out a sharp breath. "I don't know, Nancy," I admitted, my voice rough. "I don't even know if she'd want me back."

"You love her so much, don't you?" she asked softly.

God, more than anything in the world. That was the cruelest part of it all—why my betrayal made no sense. Not to anyone. Not even to me.

Nancy held my gaze. "With Elena, you're selfless, Cole. You're willing to break your own heart for her happiness. To step aside so she can have the life she deserves with her father. Because it's the right thing to do."

I said nothing, just waited, because I knew she wasn't finished.

"You did that for Sara, too. You stepped away because it was what was best for her. So, why don't you keep doing that?"

I froze for a moment. "You're saying I should let Sara go?"

Nancy sighed. "It doesn't have to be that, Cole. It's about doing what's right for her."

Her words settled heavily between us, pressing against the weight already crushing my chest. What was best for Sara? Was it me, the man who had shattered her trust? Or was it life without me, one where she could be free of the pain I had caused and find her own happiness?

"Get some rest, Cole, and lock your door. That crazy woman is back, and it's better to be safe."

*** *** ***

---