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But being alone with my thoughts is not what I need right now. Once in the bathroom, I go about my morning routine, including a long shower underneath scalding water.

I take my time getting ready, carefully going through my curly hair routine and all of my skincare. I let myself sink into the ritual and allow it to drive out the negative thoughts that keep swirling in my mind.

When I’m dressed and ready to face the world, I force myself into the kitchen to face Marshall.

Of course, he’s looking hot as hell with a tight-fitting shirt that molds perfectly to his toned body and his tattoos on display. Of course, his jeans hug his ass in a way that makes me drool too.

Marshall truly is the perfect man.

Yet I can’t bring myself to accept what he’s offering.

“Morning,” I say, announcing my presence.

He looks up from his phone. He’s seated on the couch and smiles, but the light that is usually present is noticeably absent today.

“Everything okay?” I ask cautiously.

“Yeah. Fine.” He replies, though I don’t believe him.

“Okay.”

“Breakfast is on the table.” He says, gesturing to the table as he gets up from the couch and comes to stand next to me.

I glance over to find a mini feast spread out across the table and let out a small gasp.

“Marshall. What the hell?” I ask, shocked by the gesture.

I feel his warmth come up behind me, and it’s almost too much for my already over-sensitized nerves.

“Happy birthday, Elsie.” He whispers in my ear, wrapping his arms around me and presenting me with a small square box wrapped with a ribbon.

“Marshall.” I start, turning around in his arms as best as possible before he drops them and gives me more room.

“It’s your birthday, Elsie. You deserve nice things. Please, don’t fight me on this.” He sighs. “I’m so tired of fighting.”

I take a moment to consider my options, but the truth is that I don’t like fighting with him any more than he does.

This isn’t good for either of us, and I’m sure that the stress of everything isn’t good for the baby.

So, I cave and reach for the box in his hand.

“Here, sit.” He says, pulling out a chair once I have the box in hand.

I waddle over to sit down, and he settles in a chair across the table from me.

Taking a deep breath, I prepare myself for what could be in the box.

It’s too large to be a ring, thank goddess, but not long enough to be a necklace.

Undoing the ribbon and keeping everything tied together, I lift the top of the box to reveal a small, soft jewelry bag. As though the bag bites, I reach in carefully to pull it out and am surprised at the weight of it in my hand.

“What...” I start.

“Just open it,” Marshall says with a smile.

I reach into the pouch, and my fingers connect with something metal that feels like a chain. Pulling it out, I find a silver charm bracelet with two charms. The first is a small crown with diamonds embedded to make it sparkle. The second charm is a small purple fruit.

“A purple peach?” I ask.

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