CHAPTER 17

A HARD GOODBYE

Just a week later, Ethan found Grace collapsed in the living room. She had been folding baby clothes, humming softly to herself, when her legs gave out beneath her. Ethan rushed to her side, his voice shaking with panic as he tried to wake her.

When her eyes fluttered open, she looked up at him with a faint smile. "I'm okay," she whispered, though her voice was barely audible.

"You're not okay, Grace," Ethan said, tears streaming down his face. "You can't keep doing this to yourself."

She reached up to touch his cheek, her hand trembling. "I'm doing this for her, Ethan. She's all that matters."

He pressed his forehead to hers, his tears mingling with hers. "You matter too, Grace. You matter more than anything to me."

The next morning, as Grace lay in bed, Ethan sat beside her, holding her hand.

"Ethan," she said softly, her eyes fixed on the ceiling.

"Yeah?" he replied, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

"If something happens to me, I need you to promise me something."

"Grace, don't—"

"Promise me," she insisted, her voice firmer than he'd heard in weeks.

He swallowed hard, nodding. "What is it?"

"Promise me you'll tell her about me. Tell her how much I loved her, how much I wanted her. And promise me you'll let her be happy. Let her be free."

Ethan's throat tightened, but he managed to nod. "I promise, Grace. I'll tell her everything."