But you’ll tell him soon,I told myself.Just wait until Teri is okay.
Then I could face whatever came next.
Nash was in Ohio for three days.
He texted often with updates.The doctors were running tests.They were keeping Teri for observation.It might have been a mild heart attack.It might have been a stroke.Nobody knew.
Each time he called, I almost told him.The words sat on my tongue, heavy and terrible.
Nash, there's something I need to tell you about the custody case.
But then he'd say something like, "I'm so tired, babe.I haven't slept at all," or "Mom's scared and trying to hide it," and I'd swallow the words back down.
I couldn't do it over the phone.Not while he was already drowning.
By day two, Mia kept asking when Naff was coming home.I kept saying soon, even though I had no idea.
By day three, Nash finally called with good news.
"They’re releasing her," he said, and I could hear the relief in his voice."She’s getting medication and instructions to see a cardiologist for follow-up.But she's okay.She's going to be okay."
"Thank God," I breathed."When are you coming home?"
"Tonight.I'm getting her settled at home first, making sure she has everything she needs.But I should be back by eight or nine."
After we hung up, time moved in a gelatinous blur.Mere minutes felt like hours, yet somehow time evaporated and suddenly Nash was walking through the door.His hair was a mess, his clothes rumpled, dark circles under his eyes.But even in this state, with so much heaviness in the air, the sight of him made everything in my world feel right.
The ice blue eyes seared through me and I moved toward him without even trying.
Mia launched herself at him."Naff!You're home!"
He caught her, holding her tight."Hey, little dragon.I missed you so much."
After the excitement of Naff’s return, it was time to put Mia to bed.Nash helped with the bedtime routine and once she was down, Nash collapsed on the couch.
"I'm exhausted.That was the longest three days of my life."
I sank down beside him, tracing the lines in his palm with my fingertip."I’m so glad she’s okay.”
He watched me tracing patterns for a moment, and the silence reminded me this was it.Now was the time.
"Nash, there's something I need to tell you."I forced myself to meet his gaze."Something about the custody case."
His expression shifted, concern replacing exhaustion."What happened?"
I drew a shaky breath."When I met with Heather on Thursday…there was a new…development."
"Okay."
"Preston's team filed motions requesting financial disclosures.Including any contracts or agreements related to our marriage."I watched his face, saw confusion clouding his features."Heather asked me a bunch of questions and I…well, our contract came up.Somehow.She said that Preston’s team was asking, and that NDAs don't protect you in custody cases.It seemed like they knew already.”The words were tumbling out bulky, strange, rushed.“She advised me to submit it first.To get ahead of it."
Nash went very still."Submit it."
"To the court.As evidence."I could feel the emotion forming a fist in my chest."I'm so sorry, Nash.I didn't have a choice.If Preston's team raised it first, they'd use it to destroy me in court.Heather said—"
”When did this happen?"His voice was quiet.Dangerous.
"Thursday.During the meeting with Heather."
