Regrets

Harper paced the sidewalk, arms crossed against the chill. At precisely one-thirty, Wyck's SUV rumbled to a stop at the curb. He exited slowly, shoving his hands in his pockets, radiating discomfort.

Halting in front of his bumper, he looked to her with uncertainty. "Hi."

Harper straightened her spine bracing herself for what was to come. "Let's talk upstairs." She unlocked the door and led the way up the steep steps, the wood now burnished and clean. Wyck fell into step behind her.

Leading the way into one of the empty apartments, Wyck looked around as the silent tension continued to ratchet up. Finally, Harper spoke. "Explain. All of it."

Taking a deep breath, Wyck began. "After your father found out we lost the baby, he gave me a choice - leave town immediately and never contact you again, or he'd fire my mom and dad and blackball them. They'd have lost everything."

His hand riffled through his hair. "I told myself you'd be okay. You'd be better off without me anyway." He swallowe