Page 111 of Mended Hearts

And that kind of love needed the right moment. Something big. Something mine.

“I’m gonna make some calls,” he said, stepping away with a kiss to my forehead. “Between Grey and me, we’ve got a few favors to cash in. I’ll find someone.”

“Okay,” I whispered, voice trembling as he disappeared toward the converted guest office.

But then he turned, glancing over his shoulder—right at my wringing hands. “Oh, and Leighton?”

“Yeah?”

“You’re going to be the most incredible mother.” His voice cracked a little. “That’s all I ever wanted for my kids.”

The Little Women Chat:

Kaia

*Waving white flag gif* Abort Call. I got her to relent.

Elora

Wait. What?

Kaia

Pineapple DOES in fact belong on pizza.

Jeanne

I hate you. I’m going to bed.

Jeanne

And blocking this number.

Kaia

It was very heated!

17

A Swift Dismissal

OLIVER

Not again.

That was the mantra on loop the moment she walked out this morning.

It wasn’t that I wouldn’t love mine and Leighton’s baby. Of course I would. A tiny Leighton toddling around, running the show the second she found her feet? The idea was enough to bring tears to my eyes. My kids were the purest form of love I’d ever known. Unconditional. Fiercely loyal. The anchor in every storm.

It was just…the timing was shit.

But now that we were here? All I wanted was for them both to be safe.

Somehow, history was repeating itself. Only this time, it was with a woman I loved—who I was pretty damn sure loved me too, even if she wasn’t ready to say it yet. But confirmation that I’d—yet again—completely thrown the plan out the window had my stomach turning.

Grey was going to have at least a dozen ways to say I told you so. And I wouldn’t even be able to argue with him.

Someday, I wouldn’t be the Hart family’s personal PR crisis.

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