Page 52 of Say You're Mine

I listen, enraptured, as she recounts the milestones I've missed. The first ultrasound, the day she felt the baby move, the cravings that have sent Dante's staff on midnight grocery runs. With each word, each shared laugh and tender touch, I feel more like myself. The darkness that's clung to me since my capture recedes, unable to withstand the light of Cara's love.

But all too soon, Judith is clearing her throat. "I'm sorry," she says, genuinely apologetic, "but we need to wrap this up. June needs to rest, and frankly, so do you, Cara."

I want to argue, to beg for more time, but I can see the fatigue in Cara's eyes. The stress of the pregnancy, of my absence, weighs heavily on her.

"She's right," I murmur, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "You need to take care of yourself. And our little soccer star."

Cara nods, but her grip on me tightens. "When can I see you again?" she asks, her voice small and vulnerable in a way that breaks my heart.

I look to Judith, silently pleading. She sighs, but there's a hint of a smile on her face. "If all goes well, we can try for daily visits. Short ones, at first, but we'll work up to longer periods."

Relief washes over me. It's not ideal, but it's more than I dared hope for. "Thank you," I say, pouring every ounce of sincerity into the words. "For everything."

As we say our goodbyes, as I hold Cara one last time and whisper promises against her skin, I feel a resolve settle over me. I will get better. I will be the man, the husband, the father that Cara and our child deserve.

And God help anyone who tries to stand in our way.

The door closes behind Cara, and I'm left feeling both elated and hollowed out. Judith is at my side in an instant, her hand on my arm.

"You did great, little brother," she says softly. "How are you feeling?"

I take a deep breath, cataloging the sensations coursing through me. "Overwhelmed," I admit. "But... good. Whole, for the first time in I don't know how long."

Judith nods, her eyes searching my face. "That's excellent, June. But remember, recovery isn't linear. You may have setbacks, and that's okay. What matters is how we handle them."

I nod, barely hearing her. My mind is already racing ahead, planning our next visit, dreaming of the day when I can hold Cara without supervision, when we can be a real family.

"June?" Judith's voice pulls me back to the present. "You with us?"

I blink, focusing on her concerned face. "Yeah, sorry. Just... processing."

She smiles, understanding in her eyes. "It's a lot, I know. Why don't we get you back to your room? You can rest, maybe write in that journal I suggested."

I let her lead me back, my body suddenly heavy with exhaustion. But as I settle into bed, as sleep begins to tug at the edges of my consciousness, one thought burns bright and clear:

I am June Deveaux. I am loved. I am strong.

And I will move heaven and earth to protect my family.

The days that follow are a blur of therapy sessions, medical check-ups, and precious visits with Cara. Each time I see her, each moment I spend with my hand on her growing belly, I feel more like myself. The nightmares that once plagued me grow less frequent, less vivid.

But the specter of Elaine still looms large. Dante keeps us updated on her machinations, on the legal battles being waged to keep our child safe. The thought of her trying to take our baby, of her poisonous influence touching our family, makes my blood boil.

"We need a plan," I tell Judith one night, pacing the length of my room. "I can't just sit here while she threatens everything we've fought for."

Judith watches me, her expression a mixture of concern and pride. "What did you have in mind?"

I stop, meeting her eyes. "I want to go public. Tell our story, expose Elaine and Faulkner for what they really are."

She sucks in a breath, her brow furrowing. "June, that's risky. You'd be putting yourself in the spotlight, opening yourself up to scrutiny-"

"I know," I cut her off. "But it's the only way. We need to take control of the narrative, to show the world that I'm not the unstable monster Elaine's painting me as."

Judith is quiet for a long moment, considering. Then she nods, a slow smile spreading across her face. "Okay, little brother. Let's do it. Let's take that bitch down once and for all."

As we begin to plan, as we strategize with Dante and his team, I feel a surge of something I haven't experienced in far too long: hope. Real, tangible hope for a future where Cara and I can raise our child in peace, free from the shadow of Elaine's cruelty.

It won't be easy. The road ahead is fraught with danger and uncertainty. But with Cara by my side, with our child growing strong and healthy, I know we can face anything.

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