[DAMIEN]
Estelle crossed her arms. "Didn't get the chance?" Her eyebrow rose like it was preparing to fire a warning shot. "You got a whole year."
"I know . . . it's just that everything happened so fast. One moment, I find out she's my real sister—and then she's pregnant. And maybe . . . maybe I was scared to face you. Scared to meet you again because of what I'd done. Because I knew I hurt you."
Estelle didn't say anything. Not at first.
====
One day, Estelle watched Damien from across the garden bench where he was playing with Ely, her laughter ringing through the air as he twirled her like a little ballerina.
His shirt was half-untucked, his smile crooked, and his eyes—those damned, sincere eyes—never stopped glancing her way.
She still wasn't ready to forgive him. But he didn't stop trying.
