My throat closed, not because of the money, not because of the opportunity, but because of theintention.The thoughtfulness.The quiet planning.The way he’d been building a future even when everything between us was broken.
Aaron extended the folder.I reached out with shaking hands and took it.
“I don't know if you know, but Callum is one of the executives I had told you about.And he has approved the partnership,” Aaron added.“It’s yours whenever, if ever, you want it.”
I looked at Callum in surprise.He shrugged lightly.“You’re the right fit.That’s all.Nate saw it.I see it.And frankly?Our community needs it.”
I pressed the folder to my chest, as if it were fragile.
“I don’t know what to say,” I whispered.
“You don’t have to say anything yet,” Callum replied.“Just know this isn’t about the past.It’s about your future.Your baby’s future.The life you can still have.”
The baby kicked hard beneath my ribs, as if answering him.
Aaron’s expression softened as he watched my hand move across my skin.
“You deserve something that’s yours,” he said quietly.“Not something born from chaos.Something born from love.From people seeing who you are and what you have to share with this community.”
A breath shuddered out of me.A tear slipped free, but not from pain this time.Something that felt… like a beginning.
Callum stepped back toward the Bronco.“We just wanted to deliver this in person.Out of respect.”He paused.“Take your time.Let us know if you want to find out more or move forward.No pressure.No deadlines.”
Aaron gave me a small smile.“Congratulations, by the way.You’re going to be an incredible mom.”
They climbed into the Bronco and drove away, dust rising behind them like a curtain slowly lifting.I stood on the porch long after the sound faded.Then I went inside, filled a glass with iced tea, opened the windows wide, and sank into the glider.
The Carsons had tried to hand over Nate's estate to me, but I had refused it.I didn't want his money, I never did.They disagreed, but eventually we settled on a trust fund for the baby, and theygiftedme a SUV that was better than my old pickup, which had nowhere for a baby seat.I knew we would never see eye to eye on the matter.They felt like Nate and I were good as married, even though we weren't and that it should all go to the baby and me.I didn't want his money that way, it felt like blood money and even though I never said it out loud...I just couldn't accept it.I would take having him back over any of it.
But this...this felt different.
The folder lay in front of me.A shaky smile filled my face as I thought about Nate's belief in me, in us, stitched between every typed line.
I pressed a hand to my belly, tears slipping warm and unashamed down my cheeks.
“I think your daddy left us a roadmap,” I whispered.
Chapter 54 - Tessa
Labour didn’t begin the way I expected; there wasn't a dramatic movie-water-breaking scene.No perfectly timed contractions.Just a deep, low ache in my back that woke me at 3 a.m.The kind you can’t stretch away, the kind youknowis different.
At first, I just sat on the edge of the bed, both hands cupped under my belly, breathing through it, talking to her through it.
“Okay, little one,” I whispered.“If this is really happening… we’re doing it together.”
By six in the morning, the contractions had a rhythm.By seven, they were all-consuming.
Kenzie arrived, bedhead messy, hoodie half-zipped, eyes wild.
“You should’ve called me earlier,” she scolded, already helping me step into shoes that I hadn’t been able to see for weeks.
“I wanted one more hour,” I panted.“Just… before everything changed.”
Kenzie didn’t argue with that.Maggie met us at the hospital.John had barely parked the truck before she was tumbling out and racing to get to my side, her hand warm and steady on my back.
“You’re okay,” she murmured.“You’re doing beautifully.”
Beautifully wasn’t the word I’d use for the way my body felt like it was splitting open, but I nodded.
