LOGINBrett's POVI kissed her. How could I?I pressed my hand against my face. The cut above my eye was still tender. The bruise on my jaw was already forming. None of it mattered.I kissed her, and she pulled away. She ran. She probably thinks I'm just like him. Just like Jace. Taking what I want without asking.I sat down heavily on the couch. Put my head in my hands.I'm not better than him. I'm lying to her. I'm keeping the biggest secret of all from her. And yet I had the audacity to beat up her husband and kiss her like I was some kind of hero.I thought about the way she looked at me. The confusion in her eyes. The fear. The way she pulled back like she had been burned.She trusts me. She trusts me, and I'm lying to her.I stood up. Paced the room. My footsteps were heavy on the floor.I took her daughter's slot. I took her daughter's chance. I took her daughter's life. And I kissed her like I had the right to.What kind of man does that?I walked to the window. Stared out at the da
Jace's POVMillie’s words hung in the air between us, soft and hopeful.“Jace… let’s get married.”I was still inside her, breathing hard against her neck. Married. The word felt heavy. I wasn’t sure if I wanted it. Not really. Not with everything spinning in my head. But she was looking at me with those wet eyes, and I couldn’t say no. Not after I just yelled at her. Marry her. She wants to marry me. She's been waiting for this. She gave me a son. She gave me everything. I should want this.But the words wouldn't come. Not the ones she wanted to hear. Not the ones that felt true.“Yeah,” I said anyway, my voice rough. “Let’s do it. Make it official.”Her face lit up. I pulled out slowly and turned her around to face me. I kissed her deep, trying to feel something solid. She kissed me back like I was her whole world. When we broke apart, she pressed her forehead to mine.“I love you so much, Jace. We’re going to focus on our family now. You, me, and Nolan. That’s what matters.”I nod
Roberta's POVThe kiss consumed me—his lips warm and insistent, his hand cradling the back of my neck like I was something precious. For a heartbeat, I melted into it, kissing him back with every fractured piece of myself. Then reality crashed over me like ice water.I pulled away abruptly, stumbling to my feet. My lips tingled. My chest heaved.Brett’s eyes widened, filled with immediate regret. “Roberta… I’m sorry. That shouldn’t have happened. It won’t happen again. I crossed a line.”I nodded quickly, unable to meet his gaze. “I… I should put the first aid kit away.”I gathered the supplies with shaking hands, clearing the table in mechanical motions. I could feel his eyes on my back the entire time—heavy, worried, longing. It made my skin burn. When I finished, I paused at the doorway.“I’ll be in my room,” I said softly, without turning around.***I closed the door behind me.I leaned against it. My chest was heaving. My heart was pounding.I pressed my fingers to my lips. I co
Roberta's POVJace stared at him. His nose was broken. Blood dripped down his chin."You're going to regret this," Jace said. His voice was nasal. Gurgling. "Do you know who I am? Do you know what I can do to you?""I don't care who you are." Brett stepped closer. "I don't care what you can do. If you ever come near her again—if you ever lay a hand on her again—I will end you. I don't care what it costs me."Jace laughed. It was wet and ugly."She's not worth it," he said. "She's nothing. She's garbage. She's—"Brett hit him again. Harder this time. The sound of flesh against flesh echoed through the quiet cemetery. Jace's head snapped back. He stumbled. Jace swung back wildly. His fist landed on Brett's jaw. A glancing blow, but enough to split the skin. Brett's head turned with the impact, but he didn't stagger. He didn't even blink.Then he moved.He grabbed Jace by the collar. Slammed him against the ground with so much force that Jace's head bounced off the dirt. Brett's knees
Roberta's POVMy heart was racing.Why are you lying to me, Roberta?His question hung in the air between us. His face was still close. His eyes were still searching mine.He knows. He knows I'm keeping something. "I really need to sit down," I said. I couldn't manage to tell him that I wasn't lying to him. that would be a double lie.Brett nodded slowly. He guided me to the edge of the bed. His hand was on my lower back. His eyes never left my face.He helped me sit. Then he crouched in front of me. His hands rested on my knees."I'm going to give you some space," he said. "But I'm right downstairs. If you need anything—anything at all—you call for me."I nodded.He stood up. Walked toward the door. He paused at the threshold and looked back at me."I'll be here," he said. "Whenever you're ready."Then he was gone.The door clicked shut.My hand flew to my mouth. The tears came before I could stop them.What is wrong with me?Why do I want him to kiss me? Why do I want him?I presse
Roberta's POV "What's mine?" Brett said again.He was still in the doorway. The phone in his hand had gone dark in his grip, forgotten. His eyes were on my face, and whatever he saw there had stopped him from coming any closer too fast.I looked at my own phone. The screen had dimmed, but I knew what was still on it.*99.97%.*"Nothing," I said."Roberta.""It's nothing, Brett." My voice didn't sound like my own. "I just — I said something out loud. To myself. It wasn't—""You said my name. I heard you say something was mine." He stepped into the room slowly, the way you approach something fragile. "You were holding your chest. You looked like the floor had opened under you." He crouched slightly, his eyes level with mine. "Please. Whatever this is — I'm not going to make it worse. I just want to understand."I looked at him.At the genuine, unhurried concern in his face. The same patience he had carried through every hard moment since the hospital. He had never once demanded anythin
Roberta's POVThe door swung open.What I saw almost stopped my heart.Millie was on top of Jace. Her body was moving. She was in a short black lingerie gown barely covering anything. Jace had nothing on. Their heads snapped toward me.His hands were still on her hips.For one second, nobody moved
Roberta's POV"No."The word came out quiet. "You're lying. She's not, she's not gone."The nurse's face stayed gentle and empty and sorry, and I looked at it and felt something in me refuse completely.""No." I stepped forward. "That's my daughter.""Ma'am—""That's my daughter." I moved past her
Roberta's POV The cab was still there when I pulled into the driveway.The driver leaning against the door, arms crossed, watching my house like he wanted to leave.I barely parked. The engine was still running when I ran.“Ziva!”The back door opened.She stepped out slowly—one hand gripping the d
Connor was almost smiling, holding Ziva's iPad when he pushed open the door."I found it," he called out. "Ziva, I found your."Her bed was empty."A nurse was tucking the corner of the sheet.Connor stood in the doorway."Where is she?"The nurse glanced up. "Dr. Sammy discharged her about ten min







