SHAPES UNSPOKEN

- 19 -

HAPPY READING 🥰

Annabelle Innis

My heart stopped the moment those words left Sean’s mouth.

I don’t think I can do this anymore.

The sentence echoed through my head, over and over again, until everything inside me felt tight and painful.

I stood there behind him, my arms still wrapped around his waist, trying to make sense of what I had just heard.

After everything he had said to Cindy… after the way he defended me… after the way his voice hardened when he told her there was nothing left between them.

Now he was saying he couldn’t do this anymore?

My fingers loosened slowly around him.

My entire body felt heavy, like the air had suddenly become too thick to breathe.

Was he walking away from me?

Was this how he felt when I tried to leave before?

The thought struck me so suddenly it made my chest ache.

I stepped back, giving him space, trying to steady myself.

For the first time in my life, I had fallen in love.

And the man I loved was sitting there, shoulders tense, staring down at a glass like the world had just defeated him.

My mind raced.

What did he want from me?

He had just stood in front of his wife and defended me without hesitation.

The way he spoke about me didn’t sound like a man who was ready to walk away.

So what was this?

Was he asking me to prove something?

Did he want me to comfort him?

Or did he truly want me to walk away?

My chest tightened.

The last option felt unbearable.

Because I knew one thing with absolute certainty.

I couldn’t leave him.

Not without knowing I had fought for us.

Sean had been there for me every single time I needed him.

He comforted me.

He held me when I was scared.

He looked at me like I was something precious.

No man had ever made me feel the way he did.

Desired.

Safe.

Loved.

And I wasn’t about to walk away from that without trying.

Even if it terrified me.

Even if it meant saying the words I had never said to anyone before.

I took a breath and spoke.

“Sean.”

My voice came out softer than I expected.

He didn’t turn immediately, but I saw his shoulders stiffen.

“I know what I want,” I continued quietly.

Now he turned.

Slowly.