Page 239 of Only Be Mine

He exhaled.

Slow.

Disappointed.

“You’re making a mistake,” he said quietly.

Marshal stepped forward. “Mr. Reeder,” he said calmly, “I’m going to need you to take a step back.”

Trevor didn’t move.

For one stretched second, I thought he might refuse.

Then he stepped aside.

Graceful.

Cooperative.

The perfect husband under scrutiny.

Marshal addressed me directly. “Cate, I need you to come with us.”

Trevor’s eyes snapped to mine. “You don’t need to go anywhere,” he said evenly. “This is your home.”

The word home felt wrong now.

Like a set piece.

Seth’s hand hovered near my elbow, not touching unless invited.

My legs felt like glass.

But they held.

I stepped forward.

Past Trevor.

Across the threshold.

The air outside felt colder than before.

Real.

Behind me, Trevor’s voice followed, smooth as silk. “This isn’t over,” he said.

Not shouted.

Promised.

Marshal’s hand hovered at my back, careful not to touch unless necessary.

“Let’s go,” he said.

As we descended the porch steps, I heard Trevor exhale.

Measured.