#Chapter 278 – Ivan’s Choice

When I walk back into the room I find myself laughing, suddenly, when I realize that Daniel has cut one of Ivan’s hands loose so that he can drink the bottle of water next to him on the desk, but that Ivan’s using that free hand to stroke the fur of the puppy, which is now in his lap. “Did you make a friend, Ivan?” I ask quietly as I walk over to them, my legs a little shaky after that last contraction. “Figured he needed an emotional support animal,” Daniel murmurs, leaning back against the desk with his arms crossed. “It is helping,” Ivan murmurs, his voice considering. But when he turns his face up to me, I see that his eyes are rimmed with red and he’s just doing his very best to put up a strong front. “Or at least, it’s not making it worse. And he is soft.” “Ivan,” I say, my voice soft as I move close and put a hand on his cheek, my heart breaking for him. “I’m sorry,” I murmur. “Why are you sorry,” Ivan sighs, looking away from me but not pulling away from my hand. “You’re t