Was My Baby Really Dead?

Claire's POV

Evander's entire body stiffened, and I felt his breath hitch, but he said nothing. He didn't interrupt, didn't try to console me with empty words. He just held me, letting me pour out everything I had kept bottled up inside.

"If only…" I choked out, my voice trembling. "If only I hadn't let my emotions take over. If only I had been stronger, smarter, more rational... Our child would still be alive. They would be here with us. But instead…"

I broke down completely, sobbing into his chest as my guilt and sorrow poured out in waves.

For a moment, there was only silence, broken by the sound of my muffled cries. Then Evander pulled back slightly, just enough to cup my face in his hands. His eyes were red and glistening with tears; they bore into mine with an intensity that took my breath away.

"No," he said firmly, his voice low but steady. "Don't blame yourself, Claire. Please, don't do this to yourself."