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“Bella—”

“I failed them. I was supposed to keep them safe. I couldn’t even do that.”

Kinsley immediately shook her head, tears streaming freely down her face.

“No. Absolutely not. Don’t you dare let Hannah have the last word.”

I stared at her.

“She doesn’t get to write your story. She doesn’t get to decide what kind of mother you would’ve been,” Kinsley whispered fiercely.

“She already did,” I whispered back.

Tori’s hand found mine, giving it the gentlest squeeze.

“No,” she said quietly. “She proved what kind of monster she was. What happened to your girls wasn’t punishment.”

Then why did it feel that way? I cried my heart out, allowing the grief, anger, and despair of the past month to leave me. I continued until there was nothing left inside. Slowly, I fell silent, only moving with an occasional hiccup and sniffle.

“Did you know that your body will still produce milk even if…”

My voice caught, and their arms tightened once more around me, and their collective bodies shook as they joined me in a fresh wave of tears. I guess it really was an endless well.

After several long minutes, I pulled back, feeling completely spent, drained of all energy and emotion. It was as if I had accidentally let go of the balloon that held my mind and watched it float away.

It left me totally empty inside…it was the same sensation I had on the hospital gurney as the doctors and nurses tended to me.

“Let’s get you back in bed for a while. Kinsley and I will sit and read. We’ve started a small book club,” Tori offered, taking me back over to the bed.

I nodded. Sleep sounded good. Once more snuggled into my bed, I closed my eyes, comforted by the fact that the two of them were there. Later, when I woke up, the two of them were whispering.

“I still think it’s too early. I know she responded well to the T-shirt, but she didn’t mention him. Not even once. So we wait. Remember what Andy said.”

“I know. I just hate seeing him hurting alone. It doesn’t have to be that way.”

I thought about all the missed calls that slowly moved to texts on my phone.

“It’s for the best. He deserves better,” I said, and both of them startled.

Kinsley frowned. “That’s rubbish and you know it.”

“No, Mouse, the truth is I know he deserves better. He’s a good man. The best really. They broke the mold with him.”

I thought about all the times he’d tried to see me, only to be sent away. How he showed up the next day, undeterred and hopeful.

“Did you know he wanted them from the get-go? He never had any doubts, Kins. Not a single one. All he wanted was to be a family.”

“Yeah, he told me,” Kinsley said, looking down at her lap.

“You could still be a family, the two of you,” Tori offered. “And when you’re ready, the two of you could come home again.”

“That can’t happen. Sebastian—”

“Is an asshat of epic proportions,” Kinsley huffed.

I chuckled. Truer words had never been said. But she wasn’t done.

“I’ve stopped talking to him entirely and refuse to be in the same room with him. Tell her, Tori.”