I freeze.
Maze. Always Maze.
Everything comes back to her—every decision, every risk, every choice I make gets filtered through the lens of what it might cost my daughter. And I wouldn’t have it any other way, except right now it feels like a trap. Like I’m being forcedto choose between protecting Tori and protecting Maisie, and there’s no version of this where everyone comes out okay.
“So what am I supposed to do?” My voice cracks on the question. “Let Tori take the fall? Let her lose everything while I skate by because I’ve got more leverage?”
“No.” Banks moves to stand in front of me, blocking my pacing path. “You let Tori decide what she wants. You talk to her, figure out your options together, and deal with the consequences like adults. Not like some knight in shining armor who thinks he knows what’s best for everyone.”
“I’m not—”
“You are. You’re already planning to throw yourself on the grenade without even asking her if that’s what she wants.” He raises an eyebrow. “You ever think maybe she’d like a say in her own future?”
I open my mouth to argue, then close it.
He’s right. I hate that he’s right, but he is.
This isn’t my decision to make alone. Whatever happens next, it has to be something we choose together. That’s what being partners means—both people facing the mess side by side.
“When did you get so wise?” I mutter.
“I’ve always been wise. You just don’t listen.” Banks claps a hand on my shoulder. “Call her. Go see her. But don’t do anything stupid until you’ve talked it through.”
“Define stupid.”
“Punching Reed. Storming into Dana’s office. Making grand declarations that you’ll regret tomorrow.” He almost smiles. “Basically, don’t be you.”
“Helpful.”
“I try.” He heads for the door but pauses with his hand on the knob. “For what it’s worth, I think you two are good together. Tori’s solid. Smart. She doesn’t take your crap, which God knows you need.”
“Thanks?”
“I’m just saying—whatever you have to do to make this work, it’s probably worth doing.” He meets my eyes. “Some things are more important than avoiding a PR headache.”
Then he’s gone, and I’m alone with my phone, my racing thoughts, and the growing certainty that my whole life is about to change.
I pull up Tori’s contact and type out a message.
Me:Hey we need to talk. You okay?
I wait, stare at the screen, and force myself to keep typing even though my hands want to shake.
Me:I can come over after I pick up Maze.
Still nothing. The silence is deafening.
Me:Whatever happens, we figure it out together. Yeah?
My screen stays dark.
Then I grab my keys and head out to pick up my daughter, because no matter what’s falling apart in the rest of my life, Maisie still needs her dad. She still needs normal. She still needs to believe that the people who love her will show up, even when everything else is chaos.
I can fall apart later.
Right now, I have a kid to raise and a woman to fight for.
And God help anyone who tries to stand in my way.
