Chapter 37
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Harrison
“Where did Adalyn go?” I asked Athena.
“She was tired, so she went up to her room.”
“She’s staying here?”
“Yes. Where else would she stay?”
“What room is she in?”
“I’m not telling you. You are to leave her alone and let her rest.” Her finger jammed into my chest.
“Have you forgotten that I OWN this hotel, and I can find out which room she’s in with the snap of my fingers?”
“You’re such a bully. She’s in the Skyline Suite. I’m warning you, brother. Don’t make me get Dad after you!” she shouted as I walked away.
I took the elevator up to the Skyline Suite and took in a deep breath as I knocked on the door. When it opened, my eyes diverted to her belly, which was very prominent in her tank top.
“Not now, Harrison. I’m tired.”
“I’m sorry, Adalyn, but now is when it will be.” I pushed past her. “When did you find out? Did you know before you left New York?” I asked as I walked over to the bar and poured myself a drink.
“No. I found out two weeks after I got back home.”
“And you just thought I had no right to know?”
“Of course not. You have every right to know. I just chose not to tell you,” she snarled.
“How did this happen? You told me you were on the pill? Were you?”
“How dare you insinuate that I did this on purpose? I was on the pill. It was a jacked-up time when it happened. I forgot here and there but doubled up the next day. I thought I was safe.”
“Apparently, you weren’t, and now look. God, I can’t believe this.” I rubbed the back of my neck.
“You know, Harrison. I prepared myself for this exact reaction from you. That’s why I had no intentions of telling you about this baby.”
“Never? You weren’t ever going to tell me?”
“No, I wasn’t. Because I never planned on seeing you again. You made it very clear to me that I meant absolutely nothing to you. You had your fun with me, and when you were done playing, you tossed me to the side like every other woman you used for your own pleasure. Do you really think I’d want my child knowing that his or her father is incapable of ever loving someone?”
I stared into her eyes as the anger rose in mine. She was right, and suddenly, I let my guard down.
“You’re right.” I sighed. “I’m sorry.” I took a seat on the couch. “I never meant to hurt you. I swear I didn’t. When you left, everything felt empty. Me, the house, the world. I couldn’t admit how I felt because I was afraid.”
“Afraid of what?” she asked.
“Afraid of the monster I’d become.”
“You’re not a monster, Harrison.”
“I am, Adalyn.” I looked up at her. “I gave up all my humanity the day my mother died. The last words she heard before she got in that car were that I hated her and never wanted to see her again. And I didn’t. I have to live with that guilt for the rest of my life.”
“You were a kid. Kids say things like that to their parents all the time. You didn’t mean it.”
“Of course, I didn’t, but I’ll never forget the hurt in her eyes before she walked out that door. How long are you planning on staying in town for?”
“A couple of days.”
“Are you working in Seattle?”
“No. I’m trying to set up my interior design business.”
“Good.” I smiled. “There’s a will hearing in two days, and my father informed me you need to be there. It’s at seven p.m. at my townhouse.”
“Why do I have to be there?”
“Apparently, my grandmother put you in her will. I’ll let you get some rest,” I spoke as I walked out the door.