Chapter: 1543

As Bethany sat up, her hand shot out to clutch his sleeve. "Why? East Shade Bay is your home. Our home."

Jonathan freed his sleeve, his voice detached. "I'm confused, Bethany. Really confused. Being here is only making it worse. I need space to sort myself out. I'll talk to you when I can process everything."

"What do you need to process, please?" Bethany couldn't bring herself to comprehend him. "Do you intend to leave me and the kids all by ourselves?"

Perhaps, because it was still early, and Bethany wasn't fully awake, the words slipped out before she could stop them.

The worry in her voice almost made Jonathan waver.