He offers a small, encouraging smile.“We will need people, your family, your friends, to testify. Describe how you parent, how you protect, what kind of environment she lives in. And yes, having her testify could help, but we’ll only do it if she’s safe, and without hurting her.”
I swallow and nod, steeling myself.“Alright. Do it.”
Ethan squeezes my hand, eyes warm and proud.
Mr. Harwood stands and extends his hand.“You’re making the right choice. We’ll file our petition soon, I’ll draft everything. We’ll fight this. For you. For Mia. For both of you.”
Tears leak from my eyes again, but they’re not just fear this time. There’s something else: relief. Hope, maybe.
I nod, resolute.“Thank you.”
Ethan stands, pulling me into a hug. I rest my head on his shoulder, breathing in his strength. My body relaxes just a little, and I fight to hold it together. And I will keep doing it.
Ethan
I watch her fidget with the strap of her bag as we walk out of the lawyer’s office, the tension in her shoulders pulling tight in my chest. Every step she takes feels like a countdown to the moment I have to say what’s been sitting in my heart. I can’t wait anymore. I need her safe. I need her close.
“Summer,” I say, my voice low, urgent.
She glances at me, those big eyes wide and wary. I stop walking and pull her gently into my space.
“I know we’ve only been dating a few weeks… but I’ve known you for months. I’ve seen you. Seen how you love Mia, how you fight for her. How fierce you are.” I swallow, my pulse hammering.“And I want you both… with me. I want you to move in with me.”
Her hands fly to her chest, and I feel the rush of hesitation in her body before she even speaks. She shakes her head, lips trembling.
“Ethan… no. I… I don’t want all of this to impact you as well. I can’t… I can’t drag you into my mess.”
I take her hands in mine, holding them like they’re the most precious things in the world, because they are.
“Summer,” I whisper, firm, steady, grounding.“This isn’t a mess. This is life. And it’s ours. You and Mia belong with me, and I won’t let anything or anyone take you away. You’re not dragging me anywhere, you’re saving us. You’re saving her. You’re saving yourself.”
Her chest rises and falls sharply as she swallows hard, tears threatening again. I see the weight of her fear, the shadows Kevin left behind, the dread of losing Mia, but I also feel her heartbeat syncing with mine. Small steps toward trust.
“Ethan…” she breathes, breaking.“I… I don’t know if I can.”
“Come,” I murmur gently.“I want to show you something.”
I open the truck door for her, my hand lingering at her lower back as she climbs in, still trembling. She doesn’t speak while I drive. She just stares out the window, jaw tight, like she’s holding herself together with whatever scraps she has left.
When we pull into my driveway, she turns to me, confusion etched across her face.
“Ethan, what are we…”
“You’ll see.”
I take her hand and lead her inside. At the bottom of the stairs, I stop and face her.
“I didn’t know what the lawyer was going to say today,” I admit quietly.
She nods.“Of course.”
“But I want you to see why I’m not doing this only to help you.”
My heart is pounding so hard I’m sure she can hear it. What if it’s too much? What if she thinks I’m insane?
I lead her up the stairs and stop in front of the door next to my room.
“Why are we at your home office?” Summer asks, eyes scrunching in confusion.
