Love by the Contract

Chapter 62

Emma sat frozen in the hospital waiting room, her hands trembling as they gripped the edges of the chair. Her eyes were fixed on the unopened envelope resting on the table in front of her. The weight of Alex’s decision bore down on her like a physical force, suffocating and unrelenting. Divorce papers. After everything they’d been through—the trauma of the twins’ premature birth, the long nights at the hospital, the shared moments of fear and hope—Alex had chosen this moment to deliver a crushing blow.

Thomas sat beside her, his posture tense but his presence steady. He didn’t speak immediately, letting the silence stretch between them. Emma’s breath hitched as she finally broke it, her voice low and shaky. “Why now, Thomas? Why would he do this now?”

Thomas’s gaze softened, his brow furrowing as he leaned closer. “I don’t have an answer for that, Emma. But what I do know is that you’re stronger than this. Alex’s decision doesn’t define you, and it doesn’t have to dictate what happens next.”

Emma shook her head, her eyes brimming with tears she refused to let fall. “I thought we were a team,” she whispered. “I thought… We were trying to hold it together for the twins. How can he just decide it’s over? How can he give up so easily?”

Thomas’s jaw tightened, a flicker of anger crossing his face. “This isn’t about you, Emma. This is about him. He’s making choices based on his fears, his inability to handle the pressure. That doesn’t mean you have to follow his lead. Right now, you need to think about what’s best for you and the twins.”

Her breath caught at the mention of the twins. Their tiny, fragile bodies hooked up to machines in the NICU were the only things tethering her to any sense of purpose. She clenched her hands into fists. “What does that even look like?”

Thomas hesitated, then spoke carefully. “You need to consider protecting your position as their primary caregiver. If Alex is going to make decisions like this without talking to you, what’s stopping him from doing something worse? Maybe it’s time to think about fighting for full custody.”

The suggestion hit her like a punch to the gut. She stared at him, her voice barely above a whisper. “Full custody? I don’t… I can’t do that, Thomas. He’s their father. He loves them.”

“I’m not saying he doesn’t,” Thomas replied gently but firmly. “But love isn’t enough, Emma. Stability, reliability—those things matter, especially now. Alex has shown he’s willing to make major decisions without consulting you. That’s not what the twins need.”

Emma pressed her hands to her temples, trying to block out the overwhelming rush of emotions. The thought of a custody battle, of turning their children into pawns in a legal fight, made her stomach churn. And yet… Thomas’s words planted a seed of doubt. Could she trust Alex to put the twins first? Or would his unpredictability continue to spiral, pulling them all down with him?

“I don’t know if I can do this,” she admitted, her voice cracking. “I don’t know if I have the strength.”

Thomas reached out, his hand resting lightly on hers. “You do,” he said simply. “You’re stronger than you think. And you’re not alone in this. Whatever you decide, I’m here.”

For the first time that day, a small flicker of warmth broke through the cold ache in her chest. Thomas’s steady presence was an anchor she desperately needed. She nodded, though the uncertainty still loomed large.

Hours later, Emma and Thomas stepped out of the hospital, the cool evening air brushing against their faces. The twins were stable for now, but the doctors had made it clear how delicate their condition remained. The tight knot of worry in Emma’s chest hadn’t loosened, but she was grateful for even the smallest reprieve.

“You need a break,” Thomas said as they walked toward the parking lot. “Let’s grab a coffee. Clear our heads.”

Emma nodded absently, her thoughts still tangled in the chaos of the day. The parking lot was mostly empty, the streetlights casting long shadows over the pavement. But as they approached the car, a familiar figure stepped out of the shadows, stopping them in their tracks.

Alex.

He looked as though he hadn’t slept in days. His hair was disheveled, his clothes wrinkled, and his face pale. His hands were shoved deep into his coat pockets, but his posture was anything but relaxed. He stared at Emma, his eyes filled with an emotion she couldn’t quite place.

“Emma,” he said softly, almost pleadingly.

Thomas immediately stepped forward, his protective instincts kicking in. “What are you doing here, Alex?” he demanded, his voice low and sharp.

Alex barely glanced at him, his focus entirely on Emma. “I need to talk to you,” he said, his tone desperate. “Please.”

Emma’s chest tightened. The sight of him, vulnerable and raw, stirred a mix of anger, confusion, and something she didn’t want to name. She wanted to yell at him, to demand answers for his actions, but the words caught in her throat.

“Now’s not the time,” Thomas said firmly, stepping closer to Emma. “She doesn’t need more from you right now.”

Alex’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t respond to Thomas. Instead, he took a small step closer, his eyes never leaving Emma’s. “I know I screwed up,” he said, his voice breaking slightly. “I thought I was doing the right thing, but I see now how wrong I was. Emma, please… just hear me out.”

Emma’s hands curled into fists at her sides. “You thought filing for divorce while our children are fighting for their lives was the right thing?” she asked, her voice trembling with restrained fury. “Explain that to me, Alex. Make it make sense.”

He looked down, his shoulders slumping. “I thought I was giving you what you wanted,” he admitted. “I thought stepping back, letting you take control… was what you needed. But I see now I went about it the wrong way. I was scared, Emma. Scared of failing you and the twins. Scared of making things worse.”

Her chest ached, the pain of his words cutting deeper than she expected. “You didn’t just fail me, Alex. You abandoned me. And you did it at the worst possible time.”

“I know,” he said quickly. “I’m not asking you to forgive me overnight. I just… I don’t want to lose you. I don’t want to lose us.”

Thomas let out a scoff. “Convenient timing for a change of heart.”

Emma raised a hand, stopping Thomas before he could say more. She needed to handle this herself. Her emotions were a whirlwind, but she forced herself to meet Alex’s gaze. “If you want me to believe you, Alex, you’re going to have to prove it. Words aren’t enough anymore.”

“I will,” Alex said quickly, his voice filled with quiet determination. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”

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