Had she really just run?
Had someone taken her?
Did she remember.....
He forced the thoughts down, focusing on the woman in his arms who needed him right now.
"You've been strong for three years," Ethan continued, his voice steady even as anxiety churned in his gut.
"You've accommodated and adjusted and put Dakota's needs first over and over again. You're allowed to have one moment where you're angry about it."
Maya pulled back slightly to look up at him, her eyes red and swollen, mascara streaked down her cheeks.
"I said I hated her."
"You're angry at her," Ethan corrected gently.
"That's not the same as hate. And anger is… anger is a valid emotion, Maya. Especially when someone you love hurts you, even if they don't mean to."
Even if they don't mean to.
The words tasted like ash in his mouth, carrying weight Maya couldn't possibly understand.
Because Dakota had meant something when she'd looked at him with those devastated, remembering eyes.
