Page 38 of Other Side Of Never
A silence, heavy with everything unsaid, hung between them.
Kian turned to Max.“You must despise me for what I put her through,” Kian stated, his mouth drawn tight.
Max, the remnants of an ancient pain flitting across his face, reached for Wren’s hand.“I don’t hate you.You gave her Aaron.And you weren’t the first to fail her.I’d be a hypocrite if I judged you for an error you had no way of rectifying.”
Kian leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table.“Wren,” he began stiltedly.“I am sorry.I know the money I put aside all these years doesn’t make up for anything, but it is yours.”
She reached out and laid a gentle hand on his forearm.“I don’t need it, Aaron will.It’s been a rough year for him.Give him time?”
Kian nodded, his jaw tight.
I sat as still as I could, my legs quivering as sorrow, deep-seated regret, and half-buried grief swirled thickly around me.
Wren gave his arm a little shake.“You’ll give him time?”She studied him anxiously.“You’ll love him?Love doesn’t leave, Kian.”
Kian’s eyes widened as his Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat.
I desperately wanted to lay my hand on his thigh to let him know he wasn’t alone.But he wasn’t mine to claim.
He nodded tightly.“I’ll stay.”
Relief softened the worry on her face, leaving her free to offer him a genuine smile, perhaps the first since they reunited.
Wren was the best of people.So was Max.Stumbling into Sage Ridge, I’d fallen into a welcoming hug.
“Thank you,” she breathed, relief relaxing the lines in her pretty face.
Max sat back in his chair, rubbing soothing circles over her lower back.
Kian searched Wren’s eyes, his face stricken.“I am sorry,” he stressed, his voice heavy with regret.
She stood and passed behind Max’s chair, then drew Kian to his feet and offered him a hug.
He bent and wrapped his arms around her loosely, but she held on tight.“I know you’re sorry, Kian.I’m sorry, too,” she admitted, her voice pained.“I wish I’d kept tabs on you.I failed him, too.”
Kian shook his head, the muscle in his jaw feathering wildly.
She laughed and wagged her finger at him as she drew back, her eyes glossy.“Oh no, there are no martyrs here shouldering the blame for the masses.We both made mistakes.”
“What’s going on here?”Aaron’s hard voice interrupted what had been a beautiful moment.
Kian’s spine stiffened as he drew away from Wren, wary eyes skimming over Aaron’s face.
“Some much-needed healing,” Max intervened smoothly.
Aaron’s gaze shot to Max, seeking reassurance.
Max gave him an easy nod.“Your mom’s good, Aaron.”
“Who’s this guy?”Audrey, Wren’s teenage, autistic daughter, uncharacteristically elbowed her way in and joined the conversation.Up until this point, she’d shown no interest in either Kian or Isaiah though, according to Wren, she’d met them in passing several times.“You look like a fatter version of Aaron.”
Kian’s jaw dropped.
Wren slapped a hand over her mouth.
Max chuckled, Nadine giggled, and even Aaron cracked a reluctant smile.
“This is Aaron’s father,” Wren explained.
