Chad stumbled inside between two men, his gaze catching on Jessie before finding you. Relief crossed his face, quickly replaced by something much less reassuring when he noticed Derrick's hand.

Chad took a step toward her, and Derrick watched him with an expression that made your stomach tighten. His thumb moved once against your waist before he spoke again.

Jessie started crying harder, calling Chad by the childhood nickname you'd heard interrupt birthdays, dinners, and weekends away. Chad looked between you both, breathing through his mouth, while Derrick bent until his voice reached only you.

You kept your eyes on Chad, waiting for him to look at you properly. When he finally did, his expression had already changed.

Derrick's fingers spread against your side, and Chad glanced down at them before forcing himself to continue.

For a moment, the room seemed very quiet despite Jessie still crying. You watched Chad lower his eyes, unable to look at you now that he had said it, and Derrick turned slightly around you, his free hand settling over yours.

His voice had softened, although the arm around you remained firm. He lowered his mouth beside your ear while one of his men moved toward Jessie's chair.