Page 93 of The Golden Hour

But she can’t.

She won’t admit it out loud, but Mason is a part of her. She thinks he always will be. Especially now with Daisy binding them together forever.

Just because she still loves him, though, does not mean she is going to choose to be with him. She sacrificed so much of herself for Mason, and it almost killed her. She needs to be focused on what is important—Daisy and healing her body.

And holding those people who harmed her accountable.

The hospital.

Dr. Mortimer.

And Mason.

Her daughter is owed that.

“Right,” Mason says, his tone light. “Sorry, I just… want to make sure you’re comfortable.”

“I’m comfortable, Mason,” Honey says, reclining back into the bed and folding her hands over her belly. It still feels odd to no longer have Daisy in there, and she wonders when that feeling will go away.

Honey frowns and peers at Mason, shifting from foot to foot in front of her.

“What?”

Mason’s jaw tightens.

“I feel like I’m not doing enough,” he says, his voice quiet.

He must read the confusion on Honey’s face, because he sighs.

“I want to do more for you and for Daisy.”

Honey frowns. “Why?”

He looks genuinely baffled by her question.

“Why? Because I’m your hus—” he cuts himself off, squeezing his eyes shut for a brief moment before he amends. “I’m Daisy’s father. You’re Daisy’s mother. I want to do more for you.”

“Mason, there’s not really much more you can do,” Honey shrugs. “We’re both doing what we can. It’s enough.”

“It doesn’t feel like it.”

“Mason—”

“It doesn’t,” he says, voice rough. “I want to do more. I need to do more. I feel so goddamn useless sometimes watching you feed her and settle her. I see the weight on your shoulders, Honey, and I want to ease it⁠⁠—”

“That is not something you can ease,” Honey says. “It’s… it’s something that I need to heal myself.”

Mason’s face falls. “There’s nothing else I can take off your plate⁠⁠—”

“Mason, you’re not going to parent your way back into my good graces, so if you’re doing that to win me back…”

“I’m not,” Mason shakes his head. “No, I’m taking care of my daughter, my responsibility.”

Honey nods.

Mason leans forward.

“But Honey, you’re my responsibility too.”