Chapter 159

OLIVIA “I never hated you,” I said quietly. “But I resented you.” Noah slowly released my wrist, his fingers falling away as though he no longer had the strength to hold on. He lowered his head. “And I resented myself as well,” I continued, my voice steady despite the weight pressing against my chest. “I blamed both of us for what happened to our children. Kiel died… and Hannah was born with a heart condition.” The wind moved between us, sharp and cold against my skin. I stepped closer and bent slightly, reaching out before I could stop myself. My fingertips brushed gently against the corner of Noah’s eye. He was crying openly now. I had never seen him like this before. The proud, controlled man who always carried himself with certainty stood broken in front of the Pacific Ocean. His tears were warm against my fingers, though the coastal wind quickly dried them. “Noah,” I said softly, “how could I hate someone I once loved so much?” He was the only man I had ever loved. My high school