“Why was I never enough?”
The words hung between them.
Quiet.
Steady.
Far calmer than the storm raging inside her.
For a moment, Edward Laurent simply stared at her.
The afternoon breeze stirred the trees beyond the terrace.
Somewhere in the distance, water trickled from the fountain below.
Everything appeared unchanged.
Yet somehow Emma felt as though she had just shattered something that had existed between them for twenty-six years.
Silence stretched.
Long enough to become uncomfortable.
Long enough for hope to begin dying.
Emma waited.
For an explanation.
An answer.
Anything.
Instead, Edward finally spoke.
“Why would you think that?”
The question hit her harder than anger would have.
Emma stared at him.
Then laughed.
A small sound.
Bitter.
Disbelieving.
“Seriou
