both ready.”
He covered his face.
“Thank you.”
I stood.
Dominic rose immediately.
“Lauren?”
I stopped.
“Do you think Sophie knew I loved her?”
My eyes filled.
I remembered the way our daughter ran toward him whenever he entered a room.
The way she talked about his big hands and funny bedtime voices.
The way she believed every promise he made.
“Yes,” I whispered.
His face crumpled.
“She knew you loved her.”
Then I took a breath.
“But she needed you to show up.”
I walked out before he could answer.
Outside, Toronto’s streets were crowded with people returning to work.
The world continued moving.
I stood on the sidewalk, crying quietly.
Then I wiped my face and walked toward my office.
For the first time, I had told Dominic the truth without trying to protect him from it.
