Page 155 of Fierce-Colson

And when they got to her parents’ a few hours later, she still felt that way when she was in the kitchen with her mother helping get the desserts ready.

Colson was in the living room with her brother and father, Regan was putting Zola down for a nap, and Bella was hanging with the guys.

“You look very happy,” her mother said.

“I feel that way. Life is nuts, but it’s good at the same time.”

“I’m happy to see that you’re not letting work overrule the rest of your life.”

“I had a great example,” she said, putting her arm around her mother.

Her mother smiled but shook her head a little as she set the pumpkin pie on the counter. “I appreciate that, but don’t put me on too high of a pedestal.”

“Why not?” she asked. “You balanced everything. Work, Dad, us. You never seemed overwhelmed.”

“Oh, honey,” her mother said softly. “That’s because I didn’t show you the overwhelmed parts.”

She laughed. “Really?”

“Really. There were plenty of nights I lay in bed wondering if I was doing any of it right. If I was shortchanging my career. Or if I was shortchanging my family.”

That surprised her. Growing up, it had always looked effortless. Or maybe that was what she just chose to remember, which wasn’t right on her part.

“I never felt that way,” she said.

“That’s because I tried very hard to make sure you didn’t,” her mother said. “That’s part of being a parent.” She slid the knife into the piecrust, cutting the first slice before looking back at Marly. “But I also learned something over the years that I want you to remember.”

“What’s that?”

“You can have both,” her mother said. “A career you love and a personal life that fills your heart. But sometimes… not every day, not every week… you’ll have to choose which one needs you more in that moment. And when you do, don’t regret it. Don’t hang onto it, don’t feel the guilt. It’s called life.”

Marly leaned against the counter, listening closely. “I already feel that way and hate it.”

“And that’s the hard part,” her mother continued. “That sometimes the choice won’t be the one you want to make, but move on and remember how you felt, and decide if it was right even if you felt guilty.”

“Meaning work over family?” she asked.

“Or family over work,” her mother said. “It goes both ways. The key is not letting one permanently replace the other.”

“That’s what I’m trying to do,” she said quietly. “Balance it.”

“And from what I can see, you are,” her mother said. “You’re here today. You’re building something with Colson and Bella. And you’re not apologizing for the job you worked your whole life to get when I know damn well you are thinking in the back of your mind you could be doing more when you leave here tonight.”

“I’m trying not to feel that way. It’s there and I’m shoving the urge back.”

“Stay the course,” her mother said. “Put your personal life first when you can. Protect it. Nurture it. But keep an open mind that there will be moments when work pulls harder.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” she admitted. “That one day I’ll have to choose and it’ll hurt someone.”

“It might,” her mother said gently. “But those moments don’t last forever. Life isn’t made of one decision. It’s made of thousands of them.” She handed Marly a plate with a slice of pie on it. “And the people who love you,” her mother continued, “the right ones—they understand that sometimes you’re doing the best you can in that moment.”

She thought of Colson in the living room. Of Bella laughing with her brother.

Of the chaos of her office. The pressure. The expectations.

And somehow, standing here in her childhood kitchen, it all felt a little less overwhelming.

And a lot like the words she’d said to Colson not that long ago.