Page 118 of Promise

It’s one reason why Dart and I are still married. Why I haven’t demanded we refile for divorce. Which isn’t exactly true, either. But that information isn’t relevant to her.

The most important thing this young woman needs to know is that I am still legally married to Dart.

We hadn’t discussed Dart’s role after the adoption yet. But we’re in bed like a couple every night and working as devoted partners raising Mirabelle every day.

Unless this girl changes her mind. It could happen. The courts will always rule in favor of biology.

“His name is Dart,” I tell her. “He loves Mirabelle as much as I do.” I have no doubt about Dart’s feelings for Mirabelle. What I haven’t considered yet is how he’ll feel once Mirabelle is adopted. Once she’s fully mine.

A tomorrow problem. Or rather, an issue in ten days.

Marissa licks her lips. “Good. That’s good. I want her to have what I had.”

I tilt my head.

“Loving parents.” She blinks hard at the reminder that hers are gone. “A family.”

“I’m sorry you’re alone.” The motherly nature in me has me itching to reach for her.

She shakes her head. “But I’m not, though.” She smiles weakly. “I head back to school soon.” She doesn’t tell me where she attends, and I don’t ask. While I’m well aware of open adoptions, our situation will not be like that. She’s relinquishing all rights.

Which leads me to wonder, again, if she’s changed her mind.

“What are you studying?” I ask, deciding the question is neutral.

“I want to be a lawyer. Like my mom.” Her smile remains soggy. “I think I’ll be good at it.”

“Good.” I struggle to find my own voice. “I’d bet she’d be really proud of you.” Her daughter following in her footsteps.

Marissa glances toward the ground, blinking hard. “One day . . . if she ever asks about me . . . will you tell her I did it for her. I wasn’t being selfish.” She snaps her head up. “I wanted her to have the best.”

Loving parents. A family.

“Of course,” I whisper, my thoughts still a riot of emotion. Unable to stop myself, I rub my hand up and down her arm.

I don’t consider Marissa’s decision selfish. If anything, she’s acting selfless. Giving up a baby must be incredibly difficult, for hard reasons and complicated circumstances, but it’s also a blessing to another couple, another family.

“Anything else?” I hold my breath, still concerned she might change her mind, even though she stands here with her future planned.

She shakes her head, her lip curling timidly. “Just take care of her.”

I nod, offering a shaky smile in return. “And you take care of you, okay?”

She nods once, holds her head higher, and offers a final, sad smile.

As she walks around me, I can’t help but watch her retreat until she enters the elevator. Then, I reach for my phone again and call Dart.

I’m visibly shaking when he cheerfully answers. “Hey, baby.”

“Dart.” I choke on his name.

“What’s wrong?” The joy in his tone instantly drops. “Are you okay?”

“Can you meet me in the parking lot?”

“Trin,” he groans. “You’re scaring me.”

“I just . . . I need to see you.” I need him to hold me and tell me it can’t happen. I can’t lose Mirabelle. We can’t lose her.