Shame tightened her chest and made her feel sick. She’d been a fool. Worse—she’d been cruel, and without even trying.

When he stepped back into the hall, there was no accusation in his gaze. No anger. Just a bone-crushing sadness that nearly made her gasp from the pain of it.

“I’ve suspected for a while,” he said quietly. “That you’re not available. I told Lela it was like you were under glass and I couldn’t touch you emotionally, but it’s more than that, isn’t it? You’re still with him.”

She wanted to say that wasn’t true. That she’d bought a new bed for them, that this wasn’t Stuart’s house, it was hers, only she couldn’t. Not in the face of all he’d seen.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“That’s why it wouldn’t work,” he continued, as if she hadn’t spoken. “It was never just the two of us. There were always three people. That’s why I couldn’t reach you. I should have figured that out.”

“Thaddeus,” she began, then pressed her lips together, not sure what to say.

He moved toward her. After brushing away her tears, he lightly kissed her.

“You said you weren’t ready,” he told her. “I should have believed you. I’m sorry.”

More tears fell. “Don’t say that. Please don’t say that. It’s not what you think.”

“I wish that were true, but it’s not. You don’t want to move on. You’ve said it again and again and no one has listened.” Despite the pain in his eyes, one corner of his mouth turned up. “I’m listening now, Unity. I get it.”

More tears fell. “I don’t want to lose you,” she whispered. “Please, give me another chance.”

“I want to, more than you can possibly know, but there’s no point. You’re still married to him. I’m willing to share you with your past but I won’t share you in the present.” He jerked his head back toward the bedroom. “Your heart belongs to that guy. I never had a chance.”

“Don’t go,” she said, her voice shaking.

“I don’t belong here.”

She threw herself at him. He could have sidestepped her, but instead he pulled her close and held her so tightly, she couldn’t breathe. But she didn’t mind—she wanted to feel his arms around her, wanted to be surrounded by his strength. He was such a good man, she thought fiercely. A once in a lifetime kind of man. And she’d lost him.

He stepped back.

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” he told her. “Don’t think otherwise. You’re doing the best you can. Be true to yourself, Unity. No matter what. I will always—” He looked past her for a second, then returned his gaze to hers. “I’m glad I got the chance to meet you. Stuart was a very lucky man.”

With that he moved past her and walked out of the house. Seconds later she heard his car start up and then he was gone.