“Oh, Eric,” she whimpers, sobbing right along with me. “I’m just so afraid of losing you,” I mutter, breaking down. You’re the bravest man I know,” she proclaims with a tender fierceness, tears shining in her eyes. “I know I’m not as brave as you are, but I promise to try harder.” Whatever happens to you happens to me.” I kiss each one of her knuckles as she sighs deeply, like she’s been longing with all her soul to hear me say these words. Ivy starts to cry in earnest, placing her hands atop mine. “I will never ask you to choose again,” I say solemnly, my voice nothing but a whisper. Looking up at her, I place my lips on her bellybutton, kissing the child that’s growing within her, the miracle we created.

Dropping down, I run my hands across her stomach, feeling her shiver against my fingertips. I stop partway up, raising the bottom half of her cami up and over her baby bump. Her breath hitches when I gently start unbuttoning her shirt, but her eyes never leave my face.

Her hair hasn’t been combed and her face is all tear-stained, but she has never looked more beautiful. Slowly, I draw my head away from her embrace, finding the courage to finally meet her eyes. When Ivy places herself at the mercy of Eric's rival, Lauren plots to destroy the fragile tie binding them together, even if she endangers Ivy's life in the process.īut there’s something I have to do before this goes any further. Lauren sees Eric and Ivy's split as an opportunity to end their relationship once and for all. By refusing to compromise, he's blindsided when she moves in with a man who's already stolen so much from him. Unwilling to put her at risk, he values her safety above all else. When Ivy walks out, Eric can't help feeling betrayed. She has no choice but to leave, even if it's the hardest thing she's ever had to do. Despite how much she cares for him, she won't give in to his demands. Ivy's heart shatters upon hearing Eric's crushing ultimatum. Ebook available at: Kindle | Nook | Smashwords

The Last Gift by Carla Acheson