INICIAR SESIÓNHi guys. I am still editing. Only 8 more chapters to go. Thank you for reading and for your understanding. Love Author M.A. Beneke
Lena's POVI used to think preparing another nursery would break me and maybe that sounds dramatic but after losing Ethan there were certain things I convinced myself I would never survive and building a space for another baby without him sat somewhere near the top of that list.I stood outside the spare room holding a box of folded baby clothes while Eli sat beside my feet hitting two toy blocks together loudly. The room had been painted weeks ago after Victor insisted and until now I avoided opening the door not because I forgot because opening it made everything real.Another baby and another piece of Ethan and another child who would grow up hearing stories instead of memories. I took a breath before pushing the door open the first thing Eli did was crawl inside happily like he owned the place already and that made me smile before I could stop it and the realization surprised me.Pregnancy changes strange things and motherhood too.Eli pulled himself up against the crib laughing a
Ethan's POVI woke up angry not irritated or frustrated but actually angry the kind that sits heavy in your chest before your eyes even open for a few seconds I stayed still staring at the ceiling while my breathing slowly settled because the dream still clung to me in a way dreams normally don't.Everything felt too real that was becoming a problem.Months ago the memories came in flashes that disappeared before I understood them but lately things lasted longer although faces stayed blurred but the feelings didn't.I rubbed my hand over my face before sitting up the room was quiet except for rain outside and my chest hurt I hate that I hate waking up with grief and not knowing who belongs to it I closed my eyes briefly and the dream came back immediately.I remembered warmth and soft sheets the feeling of somebody curled against me a woman with dark hair spread across a pillow while early sunlight came through curtains. I couldn't see her face properly but I remembered touching her.
Lena's POVI used to think grief stayed loud I thought losing somebody would always feel the way it did at the funeral or the nights afterward when breathing hurt and sleeping became impossible but I was wrong. The worst part of grief is when life keeps moving because bills still need paying, children still wake up hungry and companies still expect decisions and somehow people look at you waiting for leadership while your whole world feels broken.I adjusted Eli on my hip while stepping out of the elevator inside Carter Enterprises. He was sleepy already and kept rubbing his face against my shoulder while holding one of his stuffed animals.The building looked exactly the same and Ethan belonged in places like this because he was always confident and certain I still felt like an intruder.The receptionist stood immediately. "Mrs. Carter, the board is waiting."Of course they were they always waited now watching and judging wondering if the grieving widow would finally fail I nodded on
Maya’s povI started noticing changes in Ethan after he asked about Lena for the first time but I convinced myself it was temporary because memory recovery is unpredictable and doctors warned me months ago that frustration would come before progress. I held onto that explanation longer than I should have.Now I am not sure I believe it because frustration and suspicion are different things. Ethan has become suspicious the way he watches me lately reminds me too much of the man he used to be before the explosion and that terrifies me more than I want to admit because the old Ethan noticed details.I parked outside the clinic gripping the steering wheel while rain hit the windshield steadily. The appointment had been scheduled weeks ago as one of Ethan’s routine evaluations but I asked to come alone because there were things I needed answered.The neurologist greeted me politely and led me toward his office. "How has he been?" he asked after sitting down.I lowered my eyes briefly befor
Lena’s povI was sitting on the floor folding Eli’s tiny clothes while he crawled around the living room throwing toys behind him like his personal mission in life was making extra work for me. Pregnancy had made me tired lately the kind where your body feels heavy all day and emotions sit closer to the surface.I folded another little shirt before looking over at Eli he was sitting near the coffee table chewing on one of his stuffed animals.I frowned immediately."Eli, why do you insist on eating things that are not food?" I asked making my way toward him slowly he looked up at me with Ethan’s eyes and smiled and my chest tightened the way it always does and I don't think that feeling will ever go away.I took the toy from him earning an offended little noise. "Oh now you are angry with me?" I laughed softly.His tiny brows pulled together. "Mama."Everything stopped as I stared at him and my breath caught instantly. Eli looked at me again still smiling. "Mama."The word hit me so h
Ethan’s povI spent most of the night thinking about the file I found in Maya’s office yesterday but what I spent most of the night thinking about the surname.Carter.If my name is Ethan Moretti then why would another surname be hidden underneath paperwork and why did Maya never mention it? The more I thought about it the less sense anything made. I ended up sleeping maybe two hours before giving up completely.By morning my head hurt and irritation sat heavy in my chest. Maya was already in the kitchen when I went downstairs. She was dressed neatly as usual with her laptop open and coffee beside her. She looked up when she heard me, "You should sleep more."I grabbed coffee before sitting down, "I could say the same to you."A small smile touched her face before disappearing. "I have meetings in Milan all day and dinner afterward so I won't be back until late."My stomach tightened immediately but I kept my expression normal by late that meant time. I looked down at my coffee. "Busy
Lena’s POVThe morning after the carnival feels off even before I open my eyes.It’s not loud hangover chaos or tired relief like I expected. It’s quiet in a way that doesn’t feel earned as if everyone agreed not to talk about something and no one said it out loud. The air through the cracked windo
Ryan’s POVI pick the place because it’s loud.That’s the first rule you don’t meet someone like Donavan in a quiet room, you meet him somewhere with noise and movement and too many people half listening. Somewhere where words get swallowed before they land.The bar smells like old beer and fried f
Lena’s POVI notice the flyers before I even read them.That sounds stupid, but it’s true. It’s the way they look. Too clean. Too glossy for this town. Pinned up straight, corners neat, paper thick enough that the wind hasn’t curled it yet. They don’t belong on the old wooden notice board outside t
Lena’s POVBy the time the week of the carnival really kicks off, I barely remember what it feels like to sit still.I wake up tired and I go to bed even more tired, and somewhere in between I am everywhere at once. I’m carrying boxes, taping signs, handing out paintbrushes, answering questions I d







