Page 112 of Used

“A plum. Para nuestra pequeña ciruela azucarada.” He says. For our little sugar plum.

Tears start to well in my eyes. “And the crown?”

“For my princess, my queen.” He says reverently, and I break out into full-blown crocodile tears. “Oh no. What did I do wrong? This was supposed to be an apology.”

“No.” I sob. “You did nothing wrong. This is so sweet.”

I take a few deep breaths and try to control my sniffles.

“Thank you.” I finally managed. “You didn’t have to, but thank you.”

“You're welcome.” He says softly before reaching for the bracelet. “May I?”

I nod, and he takes the bracelet, fastening it around my wrist and adjusting the charms to lay neatly against my skin.

“Now eat up, and then we’ll head to your doctor’s appointment.” He says.

This man is far too good for me.

I don’t deserve his gentle kindness.

He shows up for me in a way that feels so genuinely eager, which puts me on edge more than it helps soothe my soul.

I can’t accept what he has to offer.

I’m not ready.

So, instead, I focus on eating breakfast and distract myself from my somber thoughts by going through my mental to-do list.

We can deal with feelings later.

Chapter 33

Elsie

Silence lingers between Marshall and I as we sit in the lobby of my doctor’s office, waiting to be called back for my appointment.

All through the rest of our morning together and the drive here, there have been words locked in my chest that I want to say but can’t bring myself to voice.

There’s so much that Marshall and I need to talk through, but none of it has a simple solution.

The worst part seems to be that Marshall knows exactly what he wants.

He’s just like a hopeful puppy waiting for me to give him his treat.

He’s so supportive and sweet that it’s almost sickening.

From the outside, everything seems perfect. I have a man who adores me and a baby on the way.

So why is it so hard for me to embrace the idea that this could be forever?

Marshall has spun this fairy tale for us that I’m unwilling to embrace.

I want to trust it, his vision, and to trust him, but I just can’t. Not yet.

Instead, we sit with an awkward silence hovering between us everywhere we go.

“Ms. Snow?” The nurse calls.

---