Seaside

Zane bit his lower lip, his hands curling into fists as he forced himself to stay still.

The room was thick with tension, the kind that made the air feel suffocating.

No one knew the right words to comfort Zara.

No one knew how to undo what had just happened.

"Ella, how can you do that?" Zane's voice was sharper than he intended, but the little girl only jutted her chin out defiantly, crossing her arms.

No remorse.

Ezra, his face streaked with fresh tears, turned to Zara, his tiny hands trembling. "Mommy… is it true?" His voice cracked. "You and Daddy… you're not together anymore? You're going to marry someone else?"

Zara sucked in a breath, wiping her bloody tears away. But no matter how much she wiped, they kept coming—whether from the wound or her heart, she couldn't tell anymore.

"Yes."

Her voice was shaky but firm.

She wasn't going to run anymore.