Evaline:
Kieran had always been quiet, but tonight his presence was louder than thunder to me.
I froze when I realized he was watching. My hand stilled on the half-undone button of my nightshirt, my breath caught as if he had stolen the very air out of my lungs. One look from him... one look into those warm golden-green eyes... was enough to tell me he understood. Without a word, he turned away and returned to his side of the bed.
Relief washed over me in waves. He had given me space without needing me to ask. That simple gesture, that quiet care, made my chest ache in the gentlest way.
I turned my back toward him, finally unbuttoning my nightshirt and guiding my son to nurse. The room filled with silence, except for the soft suckling sounds of the pup, the faint rustle of fabric, the whisper of my own heartbeat against my ribs. Slowly, curiosity got the better of me, and I peeked over my shoulder.
What I found made me smile.
