Chapter 14

** Paige’s POV ** My chest tightens as I look at Ryder. This man once meant everything to me. Now he is a stranger with a familiar face. I want to hate him. I should hate him. But for some reason, I can’t. Not when he looks at me with those eyes, so warm and kind, just like my son’s. I wipe the tears from my face with a shaky breath. “Start talking,” I demand. “I’m trying. I just… I don’t know where to even start,” Ryder sighs. He moves, sitting on the floor in front of me. Callen sits too. He looks just as interested in what Ryder has to say as me. Did Ryder not tell him this story? Did he never tell Callen about me? I’m not sure why, but that thought hurts. “How about right after I fell asleep in the tent, right before you left me there alone,” I say, my tone coming out more bitter than I’d intended. “I fell asleep with you in my arms. I was happy, Paige. Happier than I’d ever been in my entire life. It’s still my most treasured memory. My happiest moment. One I replay every day,” he