"Can I carry her?" Ethan asked, his voice softer than it had been in years. He looked at Audrey like he was seeing a miracle.
Mara hesitated—just for a moment—then handed her over silently.
Ethan cradled his daughter, holding her close.
"Hello there, my princess," he whispered, kissing her head. "Daddy missed you so much."
He glanced at Mara, his voice tightening. "You left."
She didn't respond. Her eyes turned away.
"Not even a word—for a whole year. I was worried, Mara. About you. About Audrey. It broke my heart thinking you were alone out there somewhere..." His jaw clenched. "But clearly, you weren't."
Mara turned sharply, her eyes narrowed. Waiting.
"He was with you the whole time, wasn't he? Just the three of you, in the same house. Sharing the same bed. Did you two—"
"Don't." Her voice cut clean and cold, stopping him mid-accusation.
