Page 93 of Omega's Formula

The baby doesn’t answer, of course. But I feel a flutter—the first one I’ve felt.

I fall asleep with my hand pressed against that flutter, and for the first time in weeks, I don’t dream about running.

24. Erik

The text comes while I’m pushing a Caesar salad around my plate, listening to Sara outline our litigation strategy against Wallace.

My phone buzzes against the white tablecloth. I glance at it automatically—I’ve been glancing at it for weeks, hoping for exactly this—and then I freeze.

Unknown Number: It’s Nolan. I’m back in the city for a few days. I’m willing to talk if you still want to.

The restaurant noise fades to static. I read the message again, certain I’m hallucinating. My exhausted brain is playing a cruel on me.

“Erik?” Anna’s voice cuts through the fog. “You okay?”

I turn the phone toward her.

Anna’s eyes go wide. Sara leans over to read, her fork suspended halfway to her mouth.

“Holy shit,” Anna breathes. “He texted. He actually texted.”

“What are you going to say?” Sara asks, already in strategic mode. “We should probably discuss the approach. Given the complexity of the situation, you’ll want to—”

“No.” Anna holds up a hand, cutting her off. “Absolutely not. Erik is not getting his lawyer involved this time.”

Sara laughs. “Good point.”

I look over at Anna and try to look like I wasn’t going to say the exact same thing that Sara was. I fail terribly.

“You were about to suggest exactly that. I know that expression.” Anna points her butter knife at me. “You needs to win back the man you love, and you need to do it without legal counsel present.”

“That’s not—” I stop. She’s not wrong. “Fine. No lawyers.”

My fingers are already moving over the screen, typing a response before I can overthink it.

I still want to. Name the time and place. I’ll be there.

The reply comes faster than I expected.

Ellie’s being discharged tomorrow for a day outing. Her first time outside in months. She wants to go to the ice rink in Riverside Park. 2pm. You could join us if you want.

I stare at the message. A day outing. With Ellie. In public.

It’s not what I’d hoped for. I’d imagined something private—just the two of us, somewhere quiet where we could actually talk. That way I can say all the things I’ve been rehearsing in my head for months. It’s not the kind of thing that needs an audience.

But I understand why he’s doing this. After everything I put him through, he doesn’t trust me. He wants his sister there as a buffer.

I don’t blame him. I hate it, but I don’t blame him.

I’d love that. I’ll be there.

“Well?” Anna demands. “What did he say?”

“He wants me to meet him tomorrow. At the ice rink.” I set my phone down carefully, like it might shatter. “With Ellie.”

Anna’s face softens. “That’s good, Erik. That’s really good. He’s giving you a chance.”

“He’s giving me a supervised visit.”