Page 146 of Micah
Like she's committing it to memory.
Then something occurs to her.
Her expression shifts.
“We didn't use protection.”
The words hang between us.
Not accusing.
Simply factual.
“I know.”
I nod slowly.
“I'm clean. I get tested regularly.”
She smiles faintly.
“I figured.”
There's a quiet confidence in the way she says it that catches me off guard.
“I just wanted you to know...”
She reaches for my hand beneath the blankets.
“I have an IUD.”
I nod once.
“Okay.”
She watches my reaction.
Waiting.
Almost nervous.
As though she expects judgment.
There isn't any.
Only gratitude that she trusted me enough to tell me.
What I don't tell her...
What I will never tell her...
Is that I already knew.
Months ago, when I convinced myself I was only making sure she was safe, I'd crossed lines I shouldn't have.
I'd traced pieces of her life that weren't mine to see.
Medical records.
