Chapter 14 - THE ACCIDENTAL MEETING
Two weeks later,
needing to pick up some specialized prenatal records from a clinic in downtown Concord,
I drove into town with Aunt Clare.
We parked near the historic village square,
where farmers' markets overflowed with pumpkins,
apples,
and jars of golden wildflower honey.
As we walked along the brick sidewalk,
enjoying the crisp autumn air,
a sleek black sedan pulled over abruptly against the curb a few yards ahead of us.
The driver’s door opened,
and Ethan stepped out.
He looked like a shadow of his former self.
His dark hair was touched with gray at the temples,
his posture was slumped,
and his tailored suit hung loosely on a frame that had lost ten pounds of stress-induced weight.
When he saw me standing by the artisan bakery with my visibly rounded belly and serene expression,
he froze in his tracks.
For several seconds,
neither of us moved.
The ambient noise of the village square seemed to fade into absolute silence.
Ethan slowly walked toward us,
his steps hesitant,
his eyes shining with unshed tears.
“Norah,
” he breathed,
his voice cracking with raw emotion.
“Please.
.
.
I had to see you.
Just five minutes.
” Aunt Clare stepped smoothly beside me,
placing a protective hand on my arm,
her gaze cool and unwavering.
“She doesn't owe you a single second,
Ethan,
” Clare said firmly.
“Let him speak,
Clare,
” I replied calmly,
my voice steady and composed.
I looked at Ethan,
noticing the profound lines of exhaustion etched around his eyes.
“You have five minutes,
Ethan,
” I said without a trace of malice or anger.
May you like
“Say what you need to say.
”
