ASHER
She stood there, looking more like a ghost than a woman. Her mouth was parted slightly, hands shaking at her sides. But her eyes… her eyes didn't waver.
"No," she whispered, barely louder than a breath. "I'm not pregnant."
I wanted to believe her.
God, I *needed* to believe her.
Because if I didn't… everything inside me would start to crumble.
My jaw was clenched so tightly it ached. I couldn't speak. Couldn't move. I just stood there, staring at her like she was the last piece of truth in a world full of lies.
"I swear it, Asher." She took a step closer. "Max is lying. I didn't even know he'd say something like that—he's trying to break us apart."
I said nothing. I didn't trust my voice yet.
She reached for me, slowly, like she was afraid I'd flinch. I didn't. I couldn't. I felt stuck in place, caught between anger and longing, between memory and madness.
"We haven't even… we haven't done anything," she said. "You know that."
I did.
