Page 111 of Winning Brynn

Ladybug.

That’s my name for Salem.

That’s always been my name for Salem.

“Come on, baby girl, walk to your mama.” Leo beams beside Issy, his hand resting on her shoulder, his thumb swirling tiny circles over her skin.

Why is he touching her like that? Why does he keep looking at her the way he used to look at me?

Salem wobbles on her little legs, and for a moment, I think she might fall down. But then she steadies herself, and with a giggle, she puts one foot in front of the other and takes a step. The remaining steps to her mom come quickly and effortlessly, as if she’s been able to walk this entire time and has been hiding it from everyone.

“You did it!” I yell, pride blazing through my body like a shooting star. “You did it, ladybug! You did it!”

But she can’t hear me.

No one can.

I watch, as if through a window, as Leo swipes up his daughter with one arm, winding the other around Issy’s neck. He pulls them both into his chest as they laugh and celebrate and hold each other, as if no one exists in the world but them.

As if I never existed at all.

Text thread between Brynn and Isabella

Issy:I’ve rebooked my flight back home for a couple of weeks' time.

Brynn:That’s great, Issy.

Issy:Yeah. You were right about me needing more time with Salem. I was just freaking out earlier.

Brynn:I’m sure she will love having you here longer.

Issy:I hope so.

Brynn:It’s a huge step. I’m proud of you.

Issy:Thank you for everything, Brynn.

Issy:For being such a good friend and looking after Salem.

Issy:I don’t deserve you.

Chapter Thirty-five

Leo

Brynn sobs in thepitch black of my bedroom. There are too many clouds in the sky tonight for the moon to be visible, so I can’t make out her shape in the bed beside me or see if she’s awake. I can only feel the space between us from where she’s rolled away and the gentle rise and fall of the bedcovers against my bare chest as she cries.

“What’s wrong, baby?”

She doesn’t answer. She’s either having another nightmare or choosing not to answer me. I roll onto her side of the bed until I feel the heat of her body against mine, then I band my arm around her waist and pull her into me.

Her breaths are short and trembling in the darkness, her body jolting with every sob that escapes her lips.

I fucking hate it when she cries.

“Brynn, baby?” Tucking my face into her neck, I whisper against her skin. “Are you dreaming?”

Silence once more, but she presses herself closer into my body and curls a cold hand around my arm, telling me she’s awake.

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