I lean back in the plastic chair, suddenly exhausted. "I understand. I'm not expecting miracles. I'm just asking for consequences."
Gray studies me for a long moment. "You feel responsible for this."
It's not a question.
"I kissed her." The admission is raw and honest. "One night, one stupid decision, and I gave her an opening. Everything that's happened since—the lies I told my wife, the way Mila latched onto something that wasn't there—I can't pretend I didn't contribute to this mess."
"A kiss doesn't justify stalking, Mr. Locke."
"No. But it started something I couldn't control." I meet her eyes. "I'm not making excuses. I'm owning my part. The rest—her obsession, her threats, her breakdown—that's on her. But I need you to know I understand how we got here."
Gray is quiet for a moment. Then she slides a card across the desk.
"Victim Services," she says. "For both of you. What you're going through takes a toll. It's worth having someone to talk to."
I pocket the card without arguing. Six months ago, I would have brushed it off and told myself I could handle it. But six months ago, I was a different person entirely.
Jade is waiting in the kitchen when I get home.
She's wrapped in her oversized cozy hoodie—the gray one I got her for Christmas—and she's holding two mugs of coffee.
"How'd it go?" she asks, handing me a mug.
"They're filing charges for the restraining order violation. Gray thinks they might push for a psychological evaluation, given everything."
Jade nods, her eyes searching my face. "And how are you?"
The question catches me off guard. I'm so used to being the one asking, the one checking on her, the one trying to fix things. Having it turned around feels… strange.
"Tired," I admit. "But... better, I think. Like I finally did something real instead of reacting to whatever she threw at us next. I also need to say something.”
Jade turns to look at me, her brown eyes patient.
"I've apologized before. A hundred times, probably. But I don't think I ever really owned it." I set down my mug, needing my hands free for this. "I kissed Mila. I made that choice. And then I lied to you about it—not once, but over and over. I looked you in the eye and told you nothing happened because I was too afraid of losing you to tell the truth."
Jade doesn't interrupt. She just watches me.
"I let you think you were crazy," I continue, my voice gravely. "When your gut told you something was wrong, I made you doubt yourself instead of being honest. That's—" I have to stop, swallow hard. "That's unforgivable, Jade. Not the kiss. The lying. The way I let you question your own mind."
"Devon—"
"Let me finish. Please." I take a breath. "I can't undo any of it. I can't go back to that hotel room and walk away from Mila before anything happened. I can't take it back. All I can do is be different now. Better, and honest, even when it's hard.”
I finally meet her eyes, and what I see there isn't anger or hurt.
It’s love.
"I know," she whispers. "I've seen it, Devon. The way you've been these past weeks…” She reaches for my hand. "You're not the same person who came home from New York."
"I never want to be that person again."
"Then don't be." Her fingers interlock with mine. "I'm not saying everything is fixed. I'm not saying I've forgotten. But I'm choosing to move forward with you. Not because I'm desperate or scared of being alone. Because I love you, and I believe you when you say you've changed."
I swallow.
"I still don't deserve you."
"Probably not." A smile crosses her lips. "But here we are, anyway."
