“Oh God,” I cried. While I had suspected suicide, hearing it articulated was devastating. Tears pricked my eyes for the loss of the woman I’d once loved, the woman I’d thought was my best friend, the mother of the beautiful little girl before me.

“They’ve dragged the coastline near our property, but they haven’t found her.”

Brian said, “Could she have left? Gone back to LA or somewhere else?”

“Her wallet and credit cards are still at the house. Her parents and old contacts haven’t heard from her. Only her phone is missing. I don’t know if you saw her Instagram post . . .”

“We did,” I said. “We’ve been concerned.”

“I would have called you, but the police have been interrogating me.” He shifted the car seat into his other hand. “I’ve been cleared.”

Brian and I both nodded. “Good.”

Max took a labored breath. “I want Maggie to live with you.”

“Really?” I gasped, not sure I could believe my own ears.

“She doesn’t belong to me. I know that. And I can’t take care of her on my own. She deserves two parents who will love and adore her.”

“We will,” I said, the tears spilling over. “I promise.”

“Thank you,” Brian said, clearing the emotion from his throat. “We’ll be the best parents we can be.”

“I’m moving back up north,” Max continued. “I need to be close to my family. I need some quiet. I’ve put the house on the market, but you can come and get her furniture. We’ve got everything she needs.”

I nodded slightly, but I was too overcome to speak.

“I called my lawyer in the city about custody. Freya named me as the baby’s father, so my attorney said a formal adoption will be the easiest. The paperwork shouldn’t take too long.”

He set down the car seat and knelt to peer in at Maggie. “Have a good life, little one.” He stroked her soft cheek with his big fingers.

Maggie gurgled and smiled at him. My heart twisted in my chest.

“She’ll be happy here,” Max said to us. “This is right.” Without looking back, he left.

• • •