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“You like watching the birds.”
“Yes.” Her voice was small. My smile grew wider.
After that, I read her a story. Then she had dinner, and I prepared her for bed again.
She was halfway asleep when I exited the room.
Just as I did, I saw him, Ethan, ascending the stairs. I didn’t know why, but I froze.
He looked exhausted. Lately, he'd been looking more exhausted than usual. His exhaustion was probably more than from the company project.
But when he reached me, I noticed his eyes. It was…sad as opposed to the usually blank look.
“Welcome home,” I greeted. He said nothing but stared at me.
I swallowed. It was probably best to go to my room. I didn't know why I kept talking.
“You... look exhausted.”
“Move aside,” he gritted, shutting his eyes briefly.
I was taken aback. Before I could speak, he continued.
“Let me remind you, Miss Norman, you're here for Sophie, not me. So I suggest you focus on your work for the remaining time you'll be here.”
His voice was hard as he held my gaze. “Now, move aside.”
His words struck something in my chest. No, it struck everything in my chest. And it hurt…
The pain was unbearable, but somehow, it also made me realize … that I cared about him… a little too deeply.
thirty-three
Ethan
One And A Half Years Ago
Tuesday, July 27, 2022: The Night Of The Incident
It was the night of the playdate with Sophie. We had arrived from the date in matching Superman T-shirts.
After settling her in her playroom, all I wanted to do was rest for a while. But as I walked to my room, I saw her.
She looked different. I instantly knew something was unusually off.
Her steps wavered slightly, and her eyes were bloodshot. I slowed down my steps, eyeing her carefully.
“Are you ok—”
“Don’t ask me that,” she interrupted, stopping just on the landing.
Fuck. Not this again. Not now.
I breathed calmly. “Olivia, please, not tonight.”
“You say that every time, like I’m the problem,” she let out a dry laugh.
“It’s Olivia this, Olivia that. Not baby or honey.”
