Page 135 of Be My Wife

I’m not going to be pathetic again. It’s better to accept our inevitable breakup now and embrace a world without Brogan Harrington as my husband than run away because I let myself act a fool.

I straighten my clothes, lift my chin, and throw the door wide open.

Twenty-Seven

Brogan

Elizabeth stalks into the room.

I push Lana away from me and jump to my feet. “Liz.”

“I came as soon as I could.” She spares Lana a short glance and turns her attention to Steph. Worry crawls into her brown eyes. “How is she?”

“Not good.” I blow out a breath.

“What can I do?”

I squeeze her hand. “Just being here is enough.”

She smiles but pulls her hand out of mine.

I frown at the distance and observe her tight expression.

What’s wrong?

She didn’t… see me comforting Lana, did she? What if she heard Lana trying to get me back and misunderstood?

I study Elizabeth’s face, but I can’t read her. My eyebrows knit together. Maybe I’m overreacting. Maybe she’s upset because of Novah. I make a mental note to pull her aside and ask about that as soon as we’re alone.

A small cough grabs my attention.

I jerk around and cry out in relief when I see Steph starting to shift on her little bed. Thick eyelashes flutter. Pull apart. And then I’m looking into a pair of sweet brown eyes.

“Steph!” I take her hand.

Lana huddles close to me, balancing her cheek on the top of my head and wrapping one arm around me. “You’re up.”

I don’t let that embrace slide. With a forceful tug, I pull Lana’s arms away from me and glance over at Elizabeth. Hurt is stamped all over her face. She takes a hesitant step back.

I want to reach out to her, but Steph squeezes my hand. “Uncle Brogan.”

“Hey, Pumpkin.” I run my fingers over her small forehead. “You scared us.”

“Lizzy, could you get the doctor?” Lana shoos my wife away, her eyes on Steph.

I frown at Lana. “I’ll get him.”

“No, it’s fine,” Elizabeth says softly. “I’ll go. You two should stay with Steph.”

“Liz…”

But she’s already turning and walking out of the room.

I spear Lana a what the hell look.

She blinks innocently in return.

Steph croaks, “Uncle Brogan.”

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