Ryan’s expression suddenly changed.
“Claire, please. I know I’ve made mistakes.”
I looked at him.
“I’ll change,” he insisted. “I promise. No more women. No more lies. Our family will come first.”
For a moment, I wanted to believe him.
I remembered seeing him holding Ava in the nursery, gently humming until she smiled.
I remembered the dreams we’d once shared.
He stepped closer.
“Stay. We can work through this together.”
My hand tightened around my purse.
Staying would be easier.
There would be a familiar home, money for groceries, and a father living under the same roof as our daughters.
Leaving meant uncertainty, exhaustion, and the possibility of struggling for months.
But there was one thing I could no longer ignore.
Ryan had promised to change before.
And when keeping those promises became inconvenient, he’d simply walked away.
“I hope you become a better person,” I told him quietly. “Especially for Ava and Mia.”
