170 The Weight Of What-Ifs
Mara
Tiffany turned toward me carefully, mindful of Emma lying between us, her voice dropping to a breathy hush. “I don’t mean to pry, Mara… but what happened that day? When Lucian dragged you upstairs? He looked so angry. His hands were shaking. I thought he believed them… that he believed the lies.”
A sad smile touched my lips. “He asked me if it was true,” I said softly. “And I told him no.”
Tiffany’s eyes widened. “That’s it? Just… no?”
I nodded. “And he believed me.”
She let out a sound halfway between a sigh and a laugh. “You’re so lucky, Mara. If it were me, Darian would’ve tossed me
out without blinking.”
We both giggled at the painful truth of it, though mine came laced with bittersweet gratitude. I remembered that moment -how fragile we had been, how much had been on the line. That was the day everything changed. The day Lucian chose
“I’m glad you two are strong now,” Tiffany said gently.
I reached out and squeezed her hand. “So… are you still planning to leave when Emma turns eight months?” I asked, my voice teasing.
Her cheeks flushed, and she looked down, flustered. “Please don’t tell him,” she whispered. “I want to keep him guessing
a little longer.”
I raised a brow. “What if he asks to marry you?”
She rolled her eyes and let out a breathy laugh. “He already has, Mara. Every day. This morning, too… during-well, you can
guess.”
I laughed, genuinely surprised. “Then what’s keeping you?”
Tiffany’s expression shifted. The smile faded, replaced by fear and something far more delicate-doubt.
“I’m afraid,” she admitted. “Darian isn’t like Lucian. What if he changes? What if I give him my all, and he turns back into the cold stranger I used to tiptoe around? I can’t live like that again.”
She sat up, her expression serious as she looked down at me. “And… he isn’t over you, Mara. Sometimes, he says your
name in his sleep. Not like… sensually. But with this ache. Like he’s mourning something he lost.”
My heart stilled.
“To him, you’re the one that got away,” she added. “I don’t want to live in your shadow. I don’t want to wonder if he’ll ever love me as much as he loved you. That’s why I haven’t said yes.”
Her voice trembled at the end, and it pierced me-because it wasn’t jealousy. It was fear. A very real fear of not being enough.
I sat up slowly, turning to face her fully, emotion rising in my chest. Tiffany deserved more than ghosts and second guesses. She deserved peace. She deserved certainty.
And I owed her at least that.
“Darian isn’t in love with me, Tiff,” I said gently, watching her face as the words sank in. “He’s my best friend-has been for
years. Yes, there were feelings once… but he’s over it. I know he is.”
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< 170 The Weight Of What-ifs
She didn’t look convinced, so I reached out and touched her arm.
+8 Points >
“Don’t get caught up in whispers of the past. Don’t let doubts destroy something beautiful before it can grow. You have Darian all to yourself now. Don’t lose him over shadows that don’t even exist.”
I paused, then sighed deeply, deciding to let her in on something I’d never told anyone.
“Did you know I once packed my bags and left Lucian?”
Tiffany’s brows shot up. “You what?”
“I left,” I said with a soft laugh, remembering how heartbroken and irrational I’d been. “The day he rushed Tina to the
hospital. I thought it meant he still loved her. The signs were all there… at least, that’s what I told myself. I jumped to conclusions. I let fear speak louder than trust.”
Her eyes were wide now, surprised by the confession. I could tell she’d never expected that from me.
“I’m just lucky he came after me,” I continued. “If he hadn’t… I would have thrown everything away over a misunderstanding. That moment taught me that love needs more than passion-it needs trust. And patience.”
Tiffany was quiet for a moment, then smiled shyly.
“Wow. And here I thought I was the only one being paranoid.”
I grinned. “You’re better off than I was. Tina wanted Lucian. She was actively trying to steal my husband. But you there’s
no one lurking in the shadows. You’ve got Darian. And whether he knows it or not, he’s already yours.”
She giggled softly, and I reached over to nudge her shoulder.
“Just don’t keep him waiting too long,” I teased. “Men like that… they can be stubborn, but they don’t wait forever.”
She nodded slowly, the smile on her face more at ease now.
I laid back on the bed with a content sigh, and she mirrored me, both of us sinking into the soft mattress.
“Maybe we should go shopping later,” I murmured, “distract ourselves so we don’t miss our men too much.”
Tiffany chuckled. “Didn’t you say you had work today?”
I shook my head without opening my eyes. “I’m giving myself the day off. My body needs rest… and maybe a new pair of
shoes.”
She laughed, and I smiled at the sound-soft, genuine, unburdened.
Soon, the weight of sleep wrapped around me like a blanket, and I let it pull me under, knowing for once, we were both a little lighter.
