Page 91 of Shattering

The moment she pulled into the driveway, she saw Gray's car parked outside.

And then, she saw him.

Lighter Shoulders, Brighter Eyes

Gray was standing by the front door, looking better than she had seen him in weeks.

The weight that had once hung from his shoulders seemed to have lifted slightly, the tension in his face eased. The darkness that had clung to him, that had lived in his very skin, was fading.

Cadi stepped out of the car, and before she could say anything, Gray grinned.

"Back so soon? Did ye get kicked out fer bein' a menace?"

Tomos perked up immediately. "Mum didn't let me get ice cream!"

Gray shot Cadi a mock-scandalized look. "Woman, have ya no soul?"

Cadi rolled her eyes, but before she could retort, he was already walking toward her, hands in his pockets, watching her with that intense, knowing gaze.

"Ya look beautiful."

Cadi blinked. "What?"

Gray smirked. "Beautiful." His voice was warm, teasing, but there was something genuine beneath it. "What, not used ta hearin' it?"

She wasn't. Not lately.

And the way he said it—like it was a fact, like it had always been a fact—made her heart stutter.

She recovered quickly. "You're clearly in a good mood."

Gray leaned in slightly. "Maybe I just like seein' ye, mo ghrá."

Cadi ignored the flutter in her stomach. Instead, she gave him a pointed look before gesturing toward Tomos, who was still sulking. "Your son wants ice cream."

Gray chuckled, ruffling Tomos's hair. "Ye had cake at yer match like you always do, lad. Ye'll live."

Tomos huffed. "Mum said to ask you."

Gray shot Cadi a playful look. "Oh, did she now?"

Cadi shook her head, heading inside. She wasn't dealing with two of them today.

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She found it on her pillow that morning.

Gray had left a note. He had been writing more—little letters, pages of thoughts he struggled to say out loud.

But this one had hit differently.

Cadi,

I haven't stopped thinking about Tomos. About what I did. About how I hurt him. And about how I will never forgive myself for it.

He was innocent. Of course, he was. Even if he wasn't mine, he was still innocent. How could I have doubted who he is to me?

I look at him now, and I am so fucking proud. He's smart, stubborn, better than I'll ever be. I will carry the guilt of ever doubting him for the rest of my life. But I swear to you, Cadi, I will never make him feel unwanted again.

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