Julian pulled Eve into an embrace the second she let him into her house. "Eve, I came as soon as I got your message. Why are you crying, Eve?"

Eve sobbed against his chest, her tears spilling onto his shoulder.

Julian bit down on his lip. Something was really wrong here.

Eve had never invited him over. She usually barely let him through the front door. Yes, things had been getting better between them, but being over here was a dangerous game: TC could home without warning.

Yes, TC and Eve had separated, but this was still his house, too. The last thing she needed was for her husband to walk in and find him comforting her.

Eve hiccupped against Julian's chest.

Julian's attention flew back to her. "Please, Eve, tell me what's wrong."

Eve gasped for air. "I just got served," she sobbed. "TC's really divorcing me!"


Ethan led Sheridan over to a nearby couch. "Sheridan, I can't pretend to know what you're going through right now, but I wish that you'd get help." Ethan sat her down. "You're one of the most kind, generous, and caring people I know, and it kills me to see you this way."

"I could say the same thing about you, Ethan." Sheridan looked up at him. "And the way you're hurting right now. I wish you'd give Theresa a chance to explain why she scanned Ivy's letter onto her computer."

Ethan raised his eyebrows. "Stop trying to change the subject, Sheridan."

"I'm not," Sheridan insisted. "I just want to see you happy again."

Ethan squeezed her fingers. "I want the same thing for you."

"I don't deserve to be happy, Ethan." Sheridan buried her face in her hands.

"Sheridan . . ." Ethan rubbed her back.

Sheridan sniffled and wiped some tears from her cheeks.

"Please, Ethan, go be with Theresa," Sheridan pleaded softly. "That's why you came here, right?"

Ethan sighed and dropped his hand from her back. "All right. You've got me. I did come here to see Theresa. But I don't want to leave you alone like this."

"I'll be fine," Sheridan insisted, her shoulders slumping.

"But, clearly, you're not right now." Ethan studied her. "What can I do, Sheridan?"

"Just go—be with Theresa." Sheridan patted his leg. "Let yourself be happy again."

"I don't know if I can do that." Ethan furrowed his brow. "More than anything, I want to go comfort her, but I don't know if I can trust her."

Sheridan sniffled and smiled softly at him. "I really wish you would give her another chance, Ethan. Misguided as her actions may have been, I don't think Theresa was ever out to hurt you."

"I wasn't," a quiet voice sounded behind Sheridan.

"Theresa . . ." Ethan stood up. "I didn't know you were there."

"I know you didn't," Theresa said softly. "And I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but Sheridan's right, Ethan. I never meant to hurt you. When I first found out that you're not a Crane, I wanted to tell you so badly, but Mama wouldn't let me." Theresa hung her head. "After the truth came out . . . well, I was afraid that you'd hate me."

Ethan's eyes dropped to the floor. "I can see why you'd think that."

"Ethan, I love you." Theresa blinked back tears. "Can't you give me one more shot—give us another chance?"


Julian fingered the manila envelope and then placed it back down on the coffee table. There it was in black and white. Eve was finally free to be his.

He'd always thought he'd be celebrating this moment if it ever came. That he'd be downing champagne and shooting off fireworks.

But, right now, all he could see was her pain.

The pain in her eyes, the tears on her cheeks, the way her fingers were trembling.

How could he be happy when her entire world had been turned upside down? When she had truly lost everything?

Julian feathered his fingers down Eve's cheeks and looked up into her eyes. "I want you to know I'll stay as long as you need me to. I'm right here beside you, Eve."

Eve searched his eyes. "You really love me, don't you?"

"More than anyone else in this entire world," Julian said. "I was a fool to abandon you."

Eve's eyes watered. "You really mean it, don't you—that you would do anything for me?"

"I would move the sun and the moon themselves if I could, Eve," Julian said. "I'd do anything for you."

Eve touched her fingers to his cheeks.

Julian's breath hitched in his throat.

"Then help me forget," Eve whispered, her breath hot on his face. "Make love to me, Julian."