Page 134 of Unleashed

“They’re at Erika’s,” I said softly. “I didn’t pawn them, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

He sighed, a weak smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “I certainly hope not.” Then his tone grew serious. “When are you coming home?”

I set my glass down and looked him in the eye. “I need space, Slade. I can’t just jump right back in. We need therapy first. Then I’ll decide.”

He reached across the table, gently taking my hand in his. “I miss you so much,” he whispered.

“That big apartment feels so empty without you.”

A small laugh escaped me, though it was humorless. “You lived there long before we got together.”

“I know,” he said, squeezing my hand. “But now it feels different. Cold. Like it’s missing something—missing you.”

I pulled my hand back, staring down at the table. “I need some time for myself. I was thinking of going on a hike before I come back to work.”

His brow furrowed. “A hike? Now? It’s too cold.”

“You think I haven’t hiked in the cold before?” I asked, my voice edged with frustration.

He shook his head, his tone firm. “This is different, Morgan. It’s not summer.”

“I’ve hiked in snow and cold before. It’s nothing new to me.”

Slade’s jaw tightened. “No.”

I glared at him, my voice sharp. “You can’t just say no. I’m not here for you to order around. I’ve lost so much of myself over the past few months.”

His eyes softened, guilt clouding his features. “I know. I see it… the spark’s gone. And I hate that. I want it back.”

“Then let me have my independence,” I said, my voice softer but resolute. “Let me do this on my own.”

He sighed heavily, leaning back in his chair. “Can’t you just wait a few weeks? Until May?”

“And what difference does that make? There could still be snow in the mountains,” I shot back, crossing my arms.

“But less than there is now,” he insisted, his voice calmer.

I exhaled slowly, my resolve wavering. “Fine. What do I do in the meantime?”

Slade straightened, hope flickering in his eyes. “We go to therapy. We try to reclaim what’s left of our marriage.”

I nodded, the weight of everything pressing down on me. “Agreed.”

He leaned forward, eyes full of hope. “Will you move back before the hike?”

I shook my head slowly. “I’m not sure. Baby steps, Slade. Baby steps.”

He smiled weakly, the pain still etched across his face. “I understand.”

I was once again caughtbetween two lovers, and the strain was starting to wear on me. Slade had been putting off therapy, citing work as the reason. "Allan's overwhelmed," he'd said, leaving me alone while he rushed between meetings. I barely saw my husband anymore. But then, there was Michael. Attentive, sweetMichael, who texted me little poems and song lyrics that made me smile despite myself. It wasn’t fair, hiding from both of them—Slade didn’t know about Michael, and Michael had no idea I was still trying to salvage my marriage. But I knew, deep down, Michael was the one I wanted.

One late evening, as I worked alone in the office, my phone buzzed. Slade’s name appeared on the screen.

"Baby, have dinner with me tonight," he said, his voice unusually soft.

I couldn’t help the annoyance that slipped into my tone. "Where the hell have you been all day?"

"Meetings downtown. We've got issues with the harbor project," he replied, sounding tired, but still avoiding the real question.

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