Page 31 of Forbidden Love

“You can’t fire me.” Emily snorted, then sighed. “But you guys are right. I won’t do that again. It wasn’t smart of me, but Hunter, I can’t just sit here. I’ll get fat.”

“You’re gonna get fat anyway,” Hunter said with a smirk—then ducked quickly as Deb swatted at him.

“Jesus, Hunter,” Deb rolled her eyes.

“Because she’s growing a child, Deb.” Hunter pulled Emily into his arms. “She will be the most beautiful fat pregnant woman in the world.”

“You’re lucky I love you,” Emily murmured as she reached up and pressed a soft kiss to Hunter’s cheek. Then, pulling back just enough to look him dead in the eye, she added, “But if you call me fat even once more, I will tell Mabel you’re being mean to me again.”

Hunter blinked, then started to laugh until he realized she wasn’t laughing with him. “Wait… you’re serious, aren’t you?”

“Dead serious.” Emily smiled sweetly and then gave him another kiss. “Don’t think I won’t go that far because I will.”

Hunter blinked, then tried to smother a laugh. “Noted. No fat jokes. Got it.”

Deb knew these Foster brothers weren’t afraid of much, but Hunter was terrified of crazy-eyed Mabel, who had once threatened to turn his dick black and make it shrivel off. That had been a moment—one of those unforgettable, small-town highlights that somehow became legend. She grinned at the memory.

Hunter just shook his head, muttering something about hormones under his breath, but the warmth in his eyes gave him away. He adored her—even when she scared the hell out of him.

Deb watched them quietly for a moment, her smile fading just a touch. Seeing their little world unfold, she hadn’t expected to feel so much standing here. It truly made her happy for Emily. But it also reminded her of what she thought she almost had with someone once.

Clearing her throat, she glanced at her watch. “Well, I just stopped by to check on you and congratulate the new daddy.” Deb felt like a third wheel so it was way past time for her to go. “Have you told anyone yet?”

Emily snorted with a nod. “Hunter has told everyone that has come in the store. The whole town probably knows by now.”

“Then yes, the whole town knows.” Deb chuckled, then headed for the door. “Call me if you need anything.”

“Will do,” Emily called out. “I’ll text you later.”

Deb gave them a backward wave as she stepped out the door. The sun had climbed higher now, warming her face as she made her way toward the farmhouse, each step crunching softly on the sidewalk.

She took a deep breath, letting the spring air fill her lungs. A small smile curved her lips—genuine, this time. She was so happy for Emily. Watching her sister glow with joy and anticipation, being wrapped in love and supported by someone who cherished her. It did something to Deb. It stirred up emotions she hadn’t let herself feel in a long time.

She was going to be an aunt. The thought made her smile wider. There’d be a baby shower to plan, and little clothes to buy with tiny socks and shoes. And she’d get to spoil that baby rotten and teach him or her all the things only an aunt could. Yeah, she was excited. And grateful. Grateful to be part of something so good.

But mixed in with that joy was a quiet ache. A soft sadness that whispered of all the time she’d wasted being someone hardened by pain and guarded by anger, but that was water under the bridge, wasn’t it?

She couldn't rewrite the past. But maybe—just maybe—she could stop letting it write her future. It was time to let go. To forgive herself for the choices she made, for the people she trusted, for the silence she kept. It was time to stop punishing herself for being human.

She blinked back a sudden sting behind her eyes and kept walking, lifting her face to the sky. The road ahead wasn’t paved with certainty, but it didn’t feel quite so heavy anymore.

“I really hope I can do this,” she whispered, more to herself than anything.

And in her heart, a quiet voice answered back.You already are.

As Deb walked the familiar path toward the farmhouse, her steps slowed slightly when she neared Garrett and Janna’s place. Hereyes flicked toward the house before she could stop herself, but just as quickly, she looked away—like the sight of it burned.

There were a lot of things in her past she wasn’t proud of. Choices made she wished she could snatch back. But there was one thing—one—that haunted her more than all the rest. One moment that carved a hollow space inside her and refused to heal because she’d never had the courage to make it right.

She had hurt someone who hadn’t deserved it. Not really. And she’d done it out of spite, maybe even jealousy. The memory of it still made her stomach twist. She had told herself that it didn’t matter, that people moved on, that time covered old wounds. But time didn’t heal everything—not when guilt clung like a second skin.

She hadn’t apologized. Not once. And it was eating her alive.

As she passed the edge of their driveway, she kept her gaze fixed on the road ahead, pretending she didn’t feel the weight of shame pressing down on her shoulders. But it was there. It always was.

One day,she promised herself.One day, I’ll make it right.

With a heavy sigh and a silent reminder to pull herself together, Deb pressed on, determined to have a decent day. A good one might be asking too much, but decent? That felt doable. She snorted at the thought, but the snort caught in her throat as she rounded the edge of the farmhouse yard. “Holy shit,” choked out.

---