All Chapters of Heartprints in the Void: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

The invitation to Anna and Amelia’s party sits on my desk, a glaring reminder of the commitment I made weeks ago. I stare at it, my fingers tracing the embossed lettering as I try to muster up some semblance of excitement.Clubs have never been my thing, the pulsing music and crowded dance floors making my skin crawl with anxiety. And after the disastrous not-so-date with Cade last week, the last thing I want to do is put on a brave face and pretend everything’s okay.We’ve barely spoken a word to each other outside of work, the tension between us heavy in every interaction, every stolen glance across the office. It’s like we’re strangers again—two people who just happen to occupy the same space.It’s killing me.I try to push him from my mind, to focus on the endless string of tasks and projects that demand my attention. But it’s harder than I thought it would be, especially when the memory of his touch, hi

I lean against the window, my skin still tingling from Cade’s touch, my lips swollen from his kiss. The glass feels cool against my shoulder as I try to steady my racing heartbeat, to calm the desire thrumming through my veins and heat between my legs.The sound of footsteps echoes on the tile floor, pulling me from my thoughts. I cock my head to the side, seeing Cade re-entering the kitchen, now fully dressed in a crisp white shirt and dark jeans. The fabric stretches across his broad shoulders.Oh…A flicker of disappointment runs through me, but I quickly push it down. It’s probably for the best that we stopped when we did. We need to talk, to figure out what this thing is between us, before we let it go any further.“How about some breakfast?” Cade offers, his voice still rough, sending a shiver down my spine. He moves towards the fridge, the scent of his cologne mixing with the aroma of coffe

I slump back in my seat, exhaling deeply as I turn off the engine. Gazing up at Cade’s house, I wonder how long my anxiety will keep me trapped in this car before I muster the courage to approach his front door.What if I start crying when I see her?…Or worse…what if I throw up?The fear is paralyzing, and I have to fight to keep my thoughts from spiraling. I know that if I allow myself to sit here, drowning in my worries a minute longer, I’ll never get out of this car.Shaking my head, I grab my keys and phone, popping the door open with a resolve I’m not sure I truly feel. My heart pounds against my ribs, my steps coming short as I approach the front door. Before I can even ring the bell, the door swings open, revealing a very casually dressed Cade with a small smile on his lips.“Come in,” he invites, pulling the door back. I step inside reluctantly, my mind at war w

The gentle fussing from the baby monitor rouses me from my slumber, my eyes fluttering open to find Cade perfectly still beside me. His head rests comfortably on his pillow, his arm bent over his shoulder as he sleeps soundly, oblivious to the world.What time is it?I sit up slowly, careful not to disturb him as I glance at the nightstand, searching for my phone.…I left it downstairs.Naomi’s distant cries draw my attention back to the baby monitor on Cade’s side, the volume set low. I step out of bed gingerly, clad in his oversized t-shirt, and slip into a pair of his boxers before quietly padding out of the bedroom, moving to the room directly across.As I enter the doorless room, I find Naomi standing in her crib, her face tear-stained and her eyes watery.Oh, sweet girl…I’m careful, pulling her into my arms, her cries silencing as she points through the door fra

⊰ Cade ⊱I turn off the engine, leaning back in my seat as I look out at the park stretching before me. The sun is high in the sky, the light filtering through the leaves of trees, casting dappled shadows on the grass. It’s a perfect day, the kind that makes you feel like anything is possible.But as I sit here, my mind keeps drifting back to Elysian, to the way she looked holding Naomi in her arms last night. The sight of them together this morning, the easy way Elysian cradled my daughter, the love and tenderness in her eyes… it struck me, a profound epiphany.Because in that moment, I realized that this is what I want. This is what I’ve always wanted. A family, a future, with her by my side.I know we have a complicated history, that I’ve hurt her in ways I’m only just beginning to understand. But seeing her with Naomi, it was like a glimpse into the life we could have, the life I so desperately crave.