CHAPTER 404

Antoine's POV

I knew I was asking a lot. She hadn’t let me hold Jared since he was born, and even though I’d come by to see him once or twice a week, I had only ever been allowed to watch him play or sleep or eat.

Emily bit her lower lip, her gaze shifting from me to Jared. I could see the internal struggle on her face, and I knew she was torn. She had every reason to say no. I had given her more reasons than I’d care to admit. But I couldn’t help but wonder if helping Phoebe had put her in a position where saying no wasn’t as easy. A bitter thought crept into my mind—maybe that was why I did it. Maybe I had intended it that way, subconsciously, and that realization made me feel sick.

For a long moment, Emily didn’t say anything. She stood there, her eyes full of conflict, but then, slowly, she nodded. “Okay... but just for a little while.”

I couldn’t believe it. My heart raced as I stepped forward, reaching out cautiously. Emily lifted Jared from the crib, holding him close for a se