The bathroom was quiet, lit only by the soft glow of the vanity lights. The unopened pregnancy tests lay on the counter—small, simple objects that somehow felt heavier than anything either of them had ever faced.
Marnie’s hand was in Michael’s, her fingers cold, his thumb tracing slow circles against her skin to soothe the tremble he felt there.
He exhaled softly.
“Whenever you’re ready,” he whispered.
She nodded, but her body didn’t move.
Her legs felt rooted to the marble floor, as if stepping forward would make everything too real too fast.
Michael noticed.
“Marnie,” he murmured, turning toward her, cupping her cheek with a gentleness that broke something inside her, “you don’t have to rush this. We can take our time.”
“But I need to know,” she whispered back. “I just… I don’t k
