“Because every time I thought about telling you, I pictured you carrying it. Carrying the hope. Carrying the logistics. Carrying me. And I just wanted—” He stopped, swallowed hard. “I just wanted to give you one moment where you didn’t have to lift anything.”
Julie’s eyes burned. “And the cameras,” Marcus added, quieter, “that hurt, Julie. I know you were scared. But knowing you were watching me… it made me feel like I was nothing but a problem you were managing.”