Chapter 23

Owen I went over to where my wife sat knitting. The moment her eyes landed on me, her hands stilled, and her mood visibly soured. “Why are you here?” she asked flatly. I sighed, my son’s words still echoing in my mind. “Okay… I know you’re angry with me. But yes—Aria was indeed my friend.” Olivia looked up, setting her knitting aside. Her gaze sharpened. “But there’s more, isn’t there?” I nodded slowly and sat down across from her, searching for the right words. I didn’t want to hide anything from her anymore. I had grown to love her deeply… but nothing could ever erase the truth about my first love. “Aria taught me how to love,” I began quietly, “and I… taught her what heartbreak was.” I drew in a breath. “Yes—she was my first love.” Olivia swallowed, her expression guarded. “She’s your past, Owen.” “I know, love. I just felt—” “Felt what?” she pressed. “Guilty,” I admitted at last. Her eyes searched mine. “Guilty for what?” I looked away, the weight of the memory pressin