Page 72 of Baby For My Ex's Brother

The declaration hangs in the air, heavy and significant. It feels like stepping off a cliff and finding out you can fly.

She gasps, blinks… and then she smiles, that heart-stopping, sunshine smile that could light up the darkest corners of any room—or any heart, especially mine. Her hands cup my face, tender and possessive all at once as if she's holding something precious.

"Say it again," she whispers, her eyes dancing with unshed tears and laughter.

"I love you, Shiloh."

And I do.

More than I ever thought possible.

Chapter twenty-nine

Shiloh

Liam wants to makeour relationship official, so he’s taking me out to his home in Martha’s Vineyard. I’m in love, and he says he loves me too…

But there’s only one thing on my mind, and I don’t think I can tell him.

I got into Trinity College.

I got the email right before he picked me up—congratulatory and exciting. But I can’t be excited—not about Liam and not about Trinity—because this feels like a choice I’m not ready to make.

Liam's car hugs the curves of the road as we approach the ferry that will take us to the Vineyard. Inside, my mind races with thoughts of Trinity and what it means for us. I watch the trees blur past, each one a reminder of how quickly life can change.

"Shiloh?" Liam's voice breaks through the hum of the engine and my spiraling thoughts.

I turn to him, and his hand reaches over, resting on my thigh with an easy familiarity that sends a jolt of warmth through medespite the chill in the air. My heart flutters with a mix of love and fear. I smile at him, fighting back the tears threatening to spill over. His presence is a balm, yet I dread the distance that might grow between us.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" he says, beaming with genuine enthusiasm. The pure joy in his eyes is infectious, but it's also a stark contrast to the turmoil within me.

"Yeah," I whisper, squeezing his hand on my thigh, holding onto the moment.

He's unaware of the storm inside me, his thoughts occupied with plans and dreams for us both. He's all in, his commitment to our relationship showing in every small gesture, every shared laugh, every look that lingers a moment too long.

"Can't wait to show you around," he continues, oblivious to my internal struggle. "You'll love the vineyard this time of year. It's peaceful—just you, me, and the autumn leaves."

The idea of being away with him, surrounded by beauty and tranquility, should fill me with anticipation. Instead, it's tinged with silent grief for what could be lost—a future where our paths diverge, his leading towards settled contentment and mine... uncertain with newfound opportunity.

"Sounds perfect," I say, but my voice lacks conviction. I'm caught in the eye of an emotional hurricane, with him as the calm center. If only I could tell him everything. If only I knew how to without risking the very thing that makes me feel whole.

For now, I let myself lean into his touch, clinging to our connection, hoping it's strong enough to withstand the secrets and choices that lay ahead.

We pull onto the ferry, and the solid ground gives way to a rhythm of waves. Instead, my stomach churns with more than just motion. I step out of the car and head over to the railing, gripping it tight enough to whiten my knuckles. The lighthousein the distance should be a beacon of serenity, but it's just a blur as I try to steady my breathing.

"Hey." Liam's voice is gentle as he comes up beside me, his hand finding its way to my back in a comforting rub. "I didn't even ask if you're okay on the water. That was stupid of me."

I force a half-hearted smile. "I usually am. Dad used to take me fishing when I was a kid." The memory is a safe harbor, but it feels far away now. "Just haven't been feeling great lately."

His concern is immediate, his brows drawing together. He wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me against him. "You sure you're alright? We can stay inside the cabin if it helps."

"Thanks." I lean into him, grateful for the solidity of his presence. It anchors me, keeps me from drifting too far into a sea of worries about the future. "I'll be fine. Just need some fresh air, that's all."

But the fresh air isn't doing its job. Each roll and pitch of the ferry amplifies the unease in my belly until I can't hold it back anymore. I lurch forward and am sick over the edge of the boat, my body heaving with a relentless rhythm that has nothing to do with the ocean's waves.

"Shiloh!" Liam's voice is tight with worry. He's right there, his hand on my back, steadying me. "Are you okay?"

I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand, feeling the last of the nausea fade, replaced by a fresh wave of anxiety.

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