Nora jolted awake, eyes wild with panic. She grabbed the babies closer.
Then she saw Margaret. Her face went pale.
“Mrs. Hayes…”
Her gaze lifted. Landed on Adrian.
“What are you doing here?” Nora’s voice shook.
Margaret’s eyes filled with tears. “Why are you out here like this?”
“You need to leave,” Nora said. “Both of you.”
Adrian found his voice. “Nora—”
“No.” She stood, unsteady, clutching one baby to her chest. “You don’t get to do this.”
“Do what?”
“Show up now. Act concerned. You made your choice five years ago.”
Adrian stepped closer. “Are they mine?”
Nora’s jaw tightened. “Does it matter?”
“Yes.”
She laughed bitterly. “Now it matters. Funny.”
Margaret touched Nora’s arm. “Please. Just tell us.”
Nora pulled away. “I tried to tell him. I called. I texted. I went to his office.”
Adrian’s stomach dropped.
“Your assistant said you were in meetings,” Nora continued, voice breaking. “Your mother told me to stop being dramatic. And you—” She looked directly at him. “You told me I was trying to trap you.”
The memory hit him like ice water. He’d said that. In his office. Cold. Certain.
“You said you’d ruin me if I kept pushing,” Nora whispered. “So I left.”