My chest aches. “Seeing it now doesn’t change what happened.”
“I know.”
“And it doesn’t fix me,” I add, pressing my hand to my ribs like it might hold everything together. “I had to rebuild myself without you.”
He nods once. “I can see that.”
The scan photo crinkles in my grip, reminding me why this conversation can’t end the way my heart wants it to.
“So don’t . . .” I say quietly. “Don’t stand there like you’re giving me permission to move on. If you’re here, be here. Say what you came to say.”
He meets my gaze fully now, eyes dark, stripped of every title he wears so easily.
“I came to tell you I still love you,” he says. His voice doesn’t shake, but something in his eyes does. “And that walking away from you was the worst mistake of my life.”
My breath stutters, lodging painfully in my chest.
“And I came too late,” he adds. “So, I’ve got no fucking right to ask for you back, Eden.” He swallows. “I don’t want to hurt you anymore, so if letting you go is what you need . . . then I’ll let go.” His jaw tightens. “But, please, don’t cut me out of our child’s life.”
Those eight words hit harder than anything else tonight.
A tear slips free, trailing down my cheek before I can stop it. His eyes track it instantly, his hand twitching like it aches to wipe it away.
“I’d never do that,” I whisper.
Relief flashes across his face, raw and unguarded. He exhales slowly, like he’s been holding that breath for months.
“You look fucking good, Queenie,” he murmurs, his gaze burning into mine. “Pregnancy suits you.”
My heart fractures.
I’m about to tell him the truth—that I lied, that there is no one else, that there probably never will be—but the pub door opens.
“Your five minutes are up, biker,” Martha snaps.
I almost laugh at the sudden ferocity in her voice.
Kade looks amused too, arching a brow at me before checking his watch. “Is there a hotel nearby?”
“What for?” Martha bites.
This time, he doesn’t even try to hide his smirk. “Why do you think, Mart?”
“Martha,” she corrects. “Only friends call me Mart.”
“There’s a B and B ten minutes away,” I say quickly.
“Just for the night,” he adds, eyes back on me. “I’m exhausted.”
I bite my lower lip. “We’ve got a spare room.” Martha gasps like I’ve just betrayed her. “It’s one night.” I shrug weakly.
“For him to claw his way back in,” she snaps.
“I told him,” I say, forcing confidence I don’t feel. “I met someone.”
Martha seizes the lie instantly, grinning. “Good,” she strides past us, “because Peter’s worth ten of you.”
My heart slams violently.
