HARPER
The moment the duvet came off, my eyes landed on the figure sprawled across the bed.
A shaky breath escaped me. Then my legs gave out completely.
I sank to the floor beside the bed, gripping the mattress for support as the crushing disappointment settled heavily inside my chest.
"Mama," Rowan groaned sleepily as he twisted beneath the sheets. He stretched a little before blinking his eyes open to look at me.
"Hi, baby," I whispered.
Whatever hope had been keeping me together shattered quietly inside me. I should have known it wasn't Julian.
Anyone with sense would have realized that immediately.
But I had been so consumed by the fear of losing him that I hadn't even noticed how small the figure on the bed was.
Rowan pushed himself upright, rubbing tiredly at his eyes.
"What are you doing here, baby?" I asked gently, brushing a hand through his messy hair. "You're supposed to be in your own bed."
