Page 55 of Madness

"There's more," I admit quietly. "I tried to get the police report, but they wouldn't give it to me. Said I wasn't next of kin."

"Of course they wouldn't," Shannon sighs. "But Dakota could get it, couldn't he? As Chloe's husband?"

"Yeah, I think so. But how do I even ask him to do that? 'Hey, honey, can you please check if your dead wife was cheating on you with my dead ex?'" The words taste bitter in my mouth.

"Start with the truth," Shannon suggests. "Tell him what Nikki said. Tell him your suspicions. Be honest about your fears."

I take a sip of my now-cold tea, letting Shannon's words sink in. "You're right. I know you're right. I just... I don't know how to have this conversation. And what if it changes how he feels about me? About Roman?"

"Lauren," Shannon's voice is firm. "That man adores you and Roman. This won't change that. But keeping secrets? That might."

As if on cue, I hear Roman stirring in his room. "Mommy?" his sleepy voice calls out.

"Just a sec, baby," I call back, then turn to Shannon. "I should go. But... thanks, Shan. I'll call him tomorrow. After my morning class."

"Good," Shannon smiles encouragingly. "And Lauren? Call me right after, okay? No matter how it goes."

"I will," I promise. "Thanks, Shan. I don't know what I'd do without you."

As I close my laptop, Roman pads into the living room, rubbing his eyes. "Mommy? Who were you talking to?"

"Just Aunt Shannon, sweetie," I say, pulling him onto my lap. "Did you have a bad dream?"

He nods, burying his face in my neck. "When's Dakota coming back?"

The innocent question feels like a punch to the heart. "Soon, baby. He's still working, remember?"

As I hold Roman close, my mind races. How will this affect him? Will it change the way Dakota looks at him? And what about nursing school? I've worked so hard to get here, but how can I focus on cellular biology when my past and present are colliding like this?

I carry Roman back to bed, tucking him in with Rex. As I smooth his hair, I make a silent promise. Whatever happens with Dakota, whatever the truth about Miles and Chloe turns out to be, I'll protect Roman. He's my priority, always. Miles' family might want nothing to do with us, just like my own parents, but that doesn't matter. We have each other.

But as I crawl into my own empty bed, doubt creeps in. Can Dakota and I survive this? What if this revelation changes everything we've built? What if 'together' isn't an option anymore?

Tomorrow, I tell myself. Tomorrow, I’ll work up the courage to face this. I just hope we can face it together.

31

ANIMALS

DAKOTA

The whiskey burns as it slides down my throat, but it's not enough to dull the panic. Lauren's voicemail plays on repeat in my head: "Dakota, it's me. I... I need to talk to you. It's important. Please call me back as soon as you can."

That was days ago. I've called. I've texted. Nothing but radio silence.

My fingers shake as I dial her number again. One ring. Two. Three. I'm about to hang up when?—

"Dakota?" Lauren's voice is hesitant, wary.

"Well, look who finally decided to pick up the fucking phone," I snarl, relief and rage and alcohol all warring for dominance. “Are you guys okay?”

"We’re fine. But Dakota, I?—"

"Wait, what? No, you don't get to talk," I interrupt, my voice rising. "Do you have any fucking idea what I've been going through? I thought something happened to you, or to Roman. I thought… I thought you were fucking leaving me or some shit."

"Dakota, please?—"

"Please what? Please forgive you for fucking ignoring me for days? Please understand why you'd leave a cryptic voicemail and then disappear? What the fuck, Lauren?"

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