Chapter 7

• Ariel’s pulse quickened as the weight of the moment pressed against her chest. She forced a shallow breath, her gaze never leaving Max, who stood in the doorway, his innocent face oblivious to the storm of emotions swirling inside her.
• Ariel forced a smile on her face as she jacked her head towards Max.
• Max, with his cherubic cheeks and wide eyes, was still too young to understand the weight of the conversation he had just walked in on. Ariel wanted to smile, to soften, but the bitter taste of the past lingered on her tongue, and she couldn’t escape it.