Chapter 23

Owen POV

I went over to where my wife sat knitting. The moment her eyes landed on me, her hands stilled, and her mood visibly soured.

“Why are you here?” she asked flatly.

I sighed, my son’s words still echoing in my mind. “Okay… I know you’re angry with me. But yes—Aria was indeed my friend.”

Olivia looked up, setting her knitting aside. Her gaze sharpened. “But there’s more, isn’t there?”

I nodded slowly and sat down across from her, searching for the right words. I didn’t want to hide anything from her anymore. I had grown to love her deeply… but nothing could ever erase the truth about my first love.

“Aria taught me how to love,” I began quietly, “and I… taught her what heartbreak was.” I drew in a breath. “Yes—she was my first love.”

Olivia swallowed, her expression guarded.

“She’s your past, Owen.”

“I know, love. I just felt—”

“Felt what?” she pressed.

“Guilty,” I admitted at last.

Her eyes searched