Monica gazed at Chase, her eyes filled with remorse. He knelt on the floor, his body shaking with sobs, his heart shattered into a million pieces. The weight of her deception crushed her, and she knew she had to act.
“Chase,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I’m so sorry. I’m sorry for the pain I’ve caused you.”
Chase’s sobs subsided, and he looked up at Monica, his eyes red and puffy.
“Sorry?” he repeated, his voice cracking. “Sorry isn’t enough, Monica. You’ve lied to me for years. You’ve made me look stupid, and you’ve broken my heart.”
Monica took a step closer, her hands extended in a pleading gesture.
“I know, Chase. I was wrong. I was so wrong. But please, you have to understand. I did it for Austin. I wanted to be his mother, and I didn’t know how to tell you the truth.”
