Heart to Hearth, Part 2

“I never blamed you,” Marie insisted. “I just…”

“Couldn’t get over your grief to love me like you should have,” Sam deduced.

Marie flinched, but she said nothing to refute his words. Sam didn’t mean to hurt her though. He just wanted to finally speak his truth out loud.

“I’m not mad…” Sam’s voice had gotten so low that Marie must have strained to hear him. “I miss them too…”

He felt Marie squeeze his hand, which he realized must have been her version of a tight hug—and that was enough for him. Marie responded to his confession by lowering her emotional wall just enough that Sam could sense her pain too. Most people might have seen this as too small a step, but Sam knew better. He knew today’s car ride was a huge leap toward reconciliation between them, and he was suddenly glad that his fear of reporters had pushed him into Marie’s car. Only, he realized something else too. Reconciliation would never be complete without Serena.