Page 89

I freeze, his words piercing through me. His gaze is intense, filled with an ache I recognize because it mirrors my own.
“Andrew...” My voice is barely audible. “I never wanted to lie to you. I was trying to keep a promise, to honor my father. I didn’t want to hurt you.”
He takes a step closer, and the raw emotion in his face is almost too much to bear. “You did hurt me, Emily. Every time you looked me in the eyes and told me your father was traveling, every time you chose the lie over me, over us...”
His voice breaks slightly, and he shakes his head, struggling to keep his composure. “I was your husband. I thought you trusted me.”
Tears spill over my cheeks as I nod, my heart splintering. “I did trust you. I do. But, I felt trapped, and I thought I was doing the right thing, even though it feels so wrong now.”
His jaw tightens, and he looks away, his shoulders tense. “How am I supposed to move past that, Emily? You had every opportunity to tell me the truth. But you chose to lie, over and over again. I can’t just forget that.”
I open my mouth to reply, but the words stick, swallowed by the weight of everything I’ve done. He’s right. I had every chance to tell him, every chance to choose him, but I let my fear control me, let it dictate my choices. And now, it’s too late.
Andrew takes a deep breath, his face hardening. “I think it’s best if we both move on. You’ve got your life to live, and I’ve got mine.”
His words are like a final blow, their harshness leaving me breathless. I had hoped for a miracle, some way to make this right, but now, I realize it’s truly over.
He’s not coming back. The man I love, the man who had once looked at me with such warmth, is gone.
I nod, swallowing back the tears. “I understand,” I whisper, though the words feel hollow. How am I supposed to live without him?
He steps aside, and I drag my suitcase down the stairs, each step heavy, the dogs watching me as if sensing the shift.
When I reach the front door, I pause, glancing back one last time.
Andrew stands at the top of the stairs, his hands shoved into his pockets, his gaze distant.
I want to say something, anything, to make him look at me the way he used to, to bring back the man I knew. But I know he’s already gone, lost in the hurt and betrayal I’ve caused.
“Goodbye, Andrew,” I say, my heart breaking all over again.
He doesn’t respond, doesn’t even look at me. He’s already looking past me, to a future that doesn’t include us.
With a shaky breath, I step outside, the cool air hitting me like a slap. The tears finally spill over as I walk to my car, closing the door softly behind me.
The world feels empty, and I know that whatever life I have left will feel like this—cold, barren, without him.
Chapter 38: Andrew
As I enter the maternity wing, I clutch a bouquet of soft pink roses and a box of chocolates. I know Sarah has a sweet tooth, and she deserves all the treats today.
Jack’s already by her side when I step into the room, and Sarah’s face lights up when she sees the flowers.
“For you,” I say, handing them to her along with the chocolates.
She beams, holding the bouquet up to her nose. “Thank you, Andrew. These are beautiful.”
Jack chuckles, taking the chocolates from me with a grin. “You know her too well. She’ll probably go through half of these before we leave the hospital.”
Sarah laughs, giving Jack a playful nudge. “And I’ll enjoy every bite.”
I smile, settling in as I watch them share a look that’s both familiar and full of excitement. Then Sarah glances down at the little bundle in her arms and looks back at me, her expression soft.
“Do you want to hold him?” she asks gently, and my heart skips a beat. “You’re his godfather. Might as well get used to it,” she teases.
“I don’t know, Sarah,” I mumble, hesitating. “He’s so small.”
Jack chuckles, nudging me. “C’mon, Andrew. It’s not as terrifying as it looks. You won’t break him.”