I held the cup without raising my head.
“Isn’t this exactly what you’ve been hoping for?”
My voice stayed even. “A quiet, obedient Mrs. Payne who acts like nothing ever happened.”
Zion clearly stopped, as if my words caught him off guard.
Then he reached out and brushed my hair, like calming a small pet that had finally stopped resisting.
“It’s good you understand now. Men like us, how could we not have social situations to deal with?”
“Wife, relax. No matter what, you will always be the only woman I marry. The ones outside are just passing shadows.”
Passing shadows.
Those simple words landed lightly, soft and weightless, yet hard to breathe through.
I suddenly thought back to many years ago.
When Zion confessed to me, he had promised that in this life, he would only love me, stay true to me, and never turn his back on me.
So promises really do wear away. To the point where even he no longer trusted his own.
My nails pressed into my palm, the small pain spreading slowly, barely keeping me alert.
“Let’s go.”
I got up, cutting off Zion.
During the drive to the hospital, the car stayed quiet.
In the past, I would speak happily at times like this, chatting about the baby.