Page 27 of A Love That Saved Us

“I’m glad you’re back,” she says, looking down at her mug. Then her eyes meet mine. “And I swear to God, if you relapse, I’ll kick your ass.”

I chuckle. “Noted.”

My eyes drift to the divorce papers on the counter, and my chest tightens.

“I’m gonna get her back,” I say, my voice breaking the stillness.

“What?”

“I’m gonna get her back,” I repeat, this time with more conviction.

“You think?”

“Yeah.” I nod, reassuring myself. “I just need to see her. Remind her of what we have, you know?”

Her brows pull together. “I don’t know, Jensen.” Her voice is soft but pointed. “I’ve talked to her… and it doesn’t seem like she’s interested in trying to make things work. Maybe it’s time to start thinking about what’s next. Let her go—move on.”

Let her go? Move on?

“No.” My voice is steady, firm. “I don’t think it is.”

I know I sound delusional, like I’m clinging to denial. After everything Matt’s said, and now Megan? I told myself I was ready for this moment. For these papers. But now that they’re here, I’m more determined than ever not to give up. Not tolet her go.

Now is the time to dig my heels in, finish this war I started—the one I put in the middle of my goddamn marriage.

She hasn’t even seen me yet. And when she does, I know she’ll feel it. We’ve been through hell and back, dragged through every kind of wreckage—but this whole time, we’ve been fighting for the same damn thing.Us.

She just doesn’t see it yet. But she will.

They say believing is half the battle.

Well, I fucking believe in us.

Megan lifts a brow, lips twitching. “Well, selfishly, I hope you’re right. For both our sakes.”

Megan endedup staying for a couple of hours. We talked, then watched a movie. She left about twenty minutes ago.

I wander into the kitchen, looking for something to eat, but stop when I pass the papers again.

I take a photo of them. Might as well let Alley know I got them. The sooner I talk to her, the sooner I can start earning back her trust. We’ve got a long road ahead—and I’m determined to put all this shit behind us.

Got these today. I knew it was coming, but… yeah. Hit harder than I expected. When can I see you?

I attach the photo and hit send.

I debated adding that I love her. But she knows I love her.

And if she doesn’t…

She’s about to.

Chapter Seven

ALLEY

There’sthis rule of three I remember from a lecture in college—humans can only survive three minutes without air, three days without water, and three weeks without food. That’s it. That’s all we need to stay alive.

I have those things, and I’m grateful for them. I truly am. Every day that air fills my lungs is a gift denied to many. I know that.