Page 148 of A Temporary Forever

“You’re here. That matters more than how you got here.”

“I should have done more. I should have tried harder. I could have prevented this.”

Celeste moves her hand from Mia’s hair to my shoulder. Deep lines of exhaustion mar her face, her eyes swallowed by dark circles.

She gives me a weak smile. “You’re here now,” she repeats.

Fuck, she needs to focus on tomorrow, yet she’s here for me and my daughter. But tomorrow is too important, equally important. And she needs a good night's sleep after today.

“I’m calling Peter to get you home. You need to rest.”

She flinches at my suggestion, but immediately smiles. “Okay.”

Fuck, why didn’t I realize sooner she needed the comfort of our home? “I’m sorry—”

“No, Caleb, this is where you need to be.”

She’s right, and I’m right as well, she needs to getsome rest. But being right doesn’t mean it feels right. Separating right now, considering our unresolved conversation from earlier, sends a sense of foreboding shuddering through me.

I watch her leave, her shoulders slumped, her head hanging. Even in her defeated, dressed-down version, she oozes elegance. My wife.

But it doesn’t matter that she’s mine, because her departure feels final.

Chapter 39

Caleb

Mia stirs and brings me back to reality. I don’t even know how long I’ve been staring into the empty space where Celeste disappeared.

“Is Mom up?” She sits up.

“We have to wait a bit longer.”

“Do I have to go to school tomorrow?”

I chuckle. “No, you don’t.” I smile at her. “The messages I got from your mom?”

She looks down, recoiling from me. Fuck.

“Mia, it’s okay, I just need to understand.” I take her hand and squeeze it.

“I found out about you when we were moving to Aunt Greta’s. They argued because Auntie believed Mom should find you. But Mom didn’t want to. I don’t know why, but shewasn’t doing well, and—”

“You did the right thing.” I kiss the crown of her head.

“Do you think the ’thorities will take me from her because she’s sick?”

Oh shit, I didn’t get a chance to process a potential investigation into Reese’s incident. “You mean authorities? Don’t worry, you’ll stay with your mom.”

“But Mom said nobody can know she’s sick because they would take me away.”

Fuck. My. Life.

“Sweetheart, your mom needs to get better, and if she won’t be able to take care of you while she does that, you’ll stay with me. Nobody is taking you away.”

She gives me the most hopeful smile. “I’d like that.” Then panic crosses her tired face. “I mean, I don’t want to leave her—”

“I know, Mia, I know. We’ll help her get better.” It’s a vow, one I’ll follow through on, no matter what.

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