MALIA’S POV

But I couldn’t let Zach know. Not yet. I took a deep breath and turned away from his piercing gaze, focusing instead on the fading light in the garden, hoping that would steady me. “It’s just... complicated,” I said again, trying to keep my voice from trembling. “It’s not something I want to talk about, especially not with Ella being so young. I’ve worked hard to protect her, and I just don’t think bringing him up will help anything.”

Zach was quiet for a long moment. I could feel his eyes on me, searching for answers, but I didn’t dare look back at him. Finally, he spoke, his...