I closed my eyes for a second, hating myself all over again. “I only said that because it’s disrespectful to you if I work closely with someone who has romantic feelings for me. Sophie’s confession gave me the ammunition I needed to have her moved within the company. To shut it down completely and make sure she never came near us again. I told her it was inappropriate, that I’m married to the only woman I’ll ever love, and that she wouldn’t be working with me anymore. I was glad she told me so I could protect you. Not because I felt anything for her. Never.”
Her eyes searched mine, glossy and guarded. “It didn’t sound like that when I walked away.”
“I know.” My voice cracked. “And I’ll regret those words hurting you for the rest of my life. For making you leave me.
She shook her head. “It was only part of the reason.”
“I know I messed up long before that night,” I agreed, clenching my fist so I didn’t reach for her hand. “My mother asked me to hire Sophie so they could conspire against us.”
I filled her in on everything I discovered during our time apart, ending with how Gage fired Sophie and I limited my mother’s access to the trust. A quiet tremor worked through her fingers before she clasped them together, but she didn’t say anything.
“I should’ve protected you. Should’ve seen what she was trying to do. But I’m fixing it. She can’t use my father’s legacy to manipulate me anymore.”
Her eyes widened slightly. “You’ve really gone no contact with her?”
“Yes,” I confirmed. “I have emails and the updated trust documents if you want to see them. Screenshots of the logs. Whatever you need. I understand why my word might not be enough right now. I want you to have the proof.”
For the first time since she arrived, she looked directly at me. The pain in her gorgeous eyes gutted me. “I’m glad you finally saw it. I am. But that doesn’t undo what happened. I was hurting long before the gala.”
“I know, and I’m not here to push you. I just…” My gaze dropped to her stomach before I could stop it. “I needed you to know I was already choosing you before I found out about our baby.”
Her posture softened the tiniest bit. “I don’t know if I’m ready to trust that.”
“After what I put you through, that’s fair.”
She closed her eyes for a moment, her shoulders shaking with the deep breath she took. When she opened them again, they were glossy but clear.
“Thank you. That means more than you know.”
Even though we were only sitting inches apart, it felt like there were miles between us. But at least we were finally facing each other instead of turning away.
The silence between us stretched, heavy but not hostile. It was just full of all the things we weren’t ready to talk about yet.
Callie’s fingers toyed with the strap of her purse, her posture tense but not closed off. I didn’t know if I’d ever earn the right to reach for her hand again, but I needed to ask her for one thing.
I drew a slow breath, steadying myself. “I know I’ve forfeited the right to expect anything from you. You don’t owe me forgiveness.”
Her chin trembled almost imperceptibly, but she didn’t look away.
“But I want to show up for our child from the very first moment I’m allowed to. Will you let me be there for your first prenatal appointment?”
She didn’t answer immediately. I could see the war happening behind her eyes—duty to our child versus self-protection. I forced myself to stay perfectly still, hands on my knees while she considered my request.
Her hand drifted to her belly again. “For the baby, yes.”
I nodded without hesitation, my shoulders slumping with relief. “I understand.”
Her shoulders rose and fell with a slow breath. “I’ll call the clinic today and get an appointment. I’ll let you know when it is.”
“Thank you.” The two simple words carried the weight of everything I couldn’t ask for yet.
She stood, her purse sliding onto her shoulder, and I rose automatically. For a moment we just looked at each other—twopeople who used to be everything to one another, now separated by more than just space. Then she turned toward the elevator.
No matter how much every instinct pushed me to follow her, I didn’t. Respecting her boundaries mattered more than my own panic.
I didn’t go back to the office. The last thing I wanted was to feel the weight of a hundred eyes on me.
As soon as I got in the car, I hit the call button for Harper.
