There’s weight in her words, more than just Josh or her mum. I feel it, but I don’t push too hard because this is the longest she’s tolerated me in days.
“Then you tell me when you’re ready,” I say quietly. “Not because you have to, but because I’m not going anywhere this time.”
Her eyes flick back to mine, searching for the truth, like she doesn’t believe what I’m saying.
“How is this supposed to work, Ray?” she asks, her voice fragile now. “I can’t even look after myself right now, never mind a baby. I don’t want . . . I don’t want to be one of those families who passes their child back and forth like it’s normal.” Her throat tightens. “Everything feels like a mess.”
It’s not just fear I hear, it’s guilt. I reach for her hand before I can stop myself. She tenses at first, then lets me.
“It doesn’t have to be like that,” I say, softer now. “We don’t have to turn this into something broken before it’s even begun.”
She lets out a shaky breath. “You say it like it’s easy.”
“It’s not,” I admit. “It’s going to be hard. Probably the hardest thing either of us has done.” I tighten my grip on her hand slightly. “But we’ll figure it out,” I add. “One step at a time. Not all at once. Not today. Just get through one day at a time.”
Her eyes drop to where our hands are joined. “And tomorrow?” she asks quietly.
“I’ll still be here,” I say. The words feel bigger than anything else I’ve said, because I’ve never made such a big promise before and meant it. “To help you,” I continue. “With whatever you need. Even if that’s just sitting here while you ignore me.”
A small, broken huff of laughter escapes her. And it’s the most alive she’s sounded since I walked in.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
WYNTER
My key worker pokes her head around the door. “Wynter, are you up for a visitor?”
I hesitate. It’s been a long day. Therapy always drains me, like someone’s reached inside and pulled everything raw to the surface.
“I can ask her to come back,” she adds gently. “It’s Sofia Romano,” she says after a beat.
I frown.
Sofia?
Curiosity wins. “Okay,” I mumble.
When she walks in, I can’t help the small smile that tugs at my lips.
I’ve only met her a couple times, but she always looks put-together, untouchable. Today, she’s in tracksuit bottoms and a cropped hoodie, a baseball cap pulled low over her eyes, and somehow, she still looks amazing, like a celebrity trying to hide from the press.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
She drops into the chair beside the bed. “Yeah. I snuck away from Vinn.”
I blink. “Why?”
She grins, pulling off her cap and shaking out her long hair. “Keeps things interesting,” she says lightly. “We were at the gym. He got distracted talking business, like always, and I got bored.”
There’s something normal about it, easy, and it makes the room feel less heavy.
“How did you know I was here?” I ask.
“I heard Ray talking to Vinn last night. How are you?” she asks, softer now.
I shrug, picking at the blanket. “Better than I was.” That’s about as honest as I can be. “Being here feels a bit extreme,” I add. “Aunt Lucy’s always worried too much.”
Sofia’s expression softens. “They wouldn’t keep you here if they didn’t think you needed it.”