Chapter 36. What Was Left Unsaid

Elizabeth POV

I pivoted and saw Daniel slumped on the couch, his elbows resting on his knees, hands covering his face. For a moment, I was at a loss for words; so much had transpired in such a short span of time that my mind struggled to keep pace. Before I could summon any coherent response, the front door opened, and Ashley entered, trailing Noah closely behind. Each of them carried a tray laden with steaming dishes and folded napkins.

At the sound of their arrival, Daniel’s head shot up so abruptly that I felt the shock ripple through my chest. His eyes were glossy—were those tears shimmering there? Ashley’s perceptive gaze flicked first to me, then immediately to Daniel. He blinked rapidly, squared his shoulders, and rose to his feet. Without sparing me even a glance, he fixed his eyes on her and, in a voice that sounded stiff with restraint, declared, “Thank you for the lunch, but I’ve imposed on you more than enough today. It’s time I took my leave.”

A cold