Emma rushed inside the apartment, slamming the door behind her as if the world outside could still reach in and break her again.
The faint sound of laughter pulled her eyes toward the living room — Renne was crouched on the rug, helping Ethan line up his toy cars. The warmth in that small scene struck her so hard, she almost collapsed.
“Mommy!” Ethan shouted, his tiny legs carrying him as fast as they could. He flung himself into her arms, and she sank to her knees, clutching him like her life depended on it.
“Hi, baby,” she whispered, pressing a kiss to his hair. This. This is all that’s real. Him… and Evan.
Renne rose slowly, her smile fading as she saw Emma’s pale face, the tears barely held back in her eyes. “Emma? What happened?”
Emma tightened her hold on Ethan, her voice a shak
