Chapter 22
22
ROWENA
Saturday morning I lace and unlace my fingers in an anxious dance as I pace back and forth in the living room. Liam has agreed to see me in an hour, and now I have to tell him I’m pregnant with his baby. I focus on my breathing to steady the nerves knotting in my stomach. We’re meeting him in Brooklyn where he lives, and the only thing keeping me from totally freaking out is knowing Adrian will be by my side.
As if summoned by my thoughts, my fake fiancé emerges from his bedroom looking like he stepped straight off a runway in Milan. Even in a simple navy button-down and dark jeans, he screams money, power, status. I’m standing on solid ground, but I might as well be free-falling as I drink in the sight of him.
Still, I frown with worry.
Adrian arches a brow at my unusual reaction, his full lips quirking up in amusement. “Do I not look intimidating enough? I was going for rugged and menacing.” His tone is playful but laced with genuine concern.
Warmth blooms in my chest. Adrian is so different from Liam—open, caring, never making me feel small or stupid. And going along with my weird requests on blind faith. I can be honest with him. I smile, shaking my head. “Trust me, you look plenty intimidating. Like you could buy and sell Liam ten times over.” I circle a hand to point at his designer ensemble. “But could you dress down? I don’t want Liam getting any ideas if he thinks you’re loaded.”
Adrian’s brows knit together. “You think he’d try to take advantage?”
I shrug, rubbing my arm. “I just have a bad feeling, call it women’s intuition. Better to be safe than sorry, you know?”
“I get it. Give me five minutes, I’ll Clark Kent myself into something more low key.” Adrian flashes me a charming grin and disappears back into his room.
If, for any reason, I’d asked Liam to change clothes or even criticized one little thing, he would’ve blown up in my face, yelling and belittling me.
Adrian is so understanding instead, so quick to put me at ease without a hint of condescension or annoyance. The total opposite of how Liam always made me feel—small, stupid, crazy. Extra.
I so wish I didn’t have to see him again. I’ve prepared a speech, to antagonize him as little as possible. But there’s no way to know how my ex will take the news, what his reaction will be.
I’m still rehearsing what I’m going to say to Liam in my head when Adrian reappears, now in faded jeans with a rip in one knee, scuffed-up black Converse, and a wrinkled black T-shirt that looks like it’s seen better days. He spreads his arms, doing a little spin. “How’s this? Broke enough for you?”
My lips twitch, eyes raking over him. Damn. Leave it to Adrian to make shabby look chic. “It’s an improvement. But you’re missing one detail. ”
“Oh?” He quirks an eyebrow. “What’s that?”
I point to the gleaming Rolex on his wrist. “You might want to leave the fifty-K watch at home, Richie Rich.”
Adrian barks out a laugh, unclasping the metal band and tossing the watch on a side table. “Good call.”
He winks, causing reactions better left unanalyzed.
“Alright, Miss Taylor.” He offers me his elbow like a gentleman. “Your carriage awaits.”
I tuck my hand into the crook of his arm. “Why, thank you, good sir.”
We exit his penthouse, the heavy door thudding shut behind us with an air of finality. No turning back now. My stomach curdles but I’m bolstered by the solid strength of Adrian beside me. Together, we step into the elevator, ready to face whatever the day may bring.
The car ride to Brooklyn feels endless, even with Sam expertly weaving through the city traffic. I fidget in my seat the entire time. Adrian reaches over and takes my hand, his touch warm and reassuring. His dark eyes filled with compassion. “I’m right here with you. We’ve got this.”
I exhale shakily and nod, trying to absorb some of his calm confidence. “I know. Thank you, Adrian. For everything.”
He rests his hand on my forearm in a silent reassurance.
As we near the coffee shop, I turn to Sam. “Can you please drop us off a couple blocks away? I don’t want Liam to see us getting out of a fancy car.”
“Of course, Miss Rowena,” Sam replies, smoothly pulling over to the curb.
Adrian and I step out onto the bustling sidewalk. My legs feel unsteady as we walk toward the meeting spot.
“Deep breaths.” Adrian keeps hold of my hand. “You’re one of the strongest women I know. You’ve got this. ”
His words embolden me, pushing back the fear threatening to overwhelm me. I can face Liam. I have to, for the sake of my baby.
As we round the corner, I spot my ex sitting at an outdoor table, impatiently checking his watch. He probably arrived early only to call me out about being late, even if I’m on time.
My stomach plummets to my toes. Even seated, Liam exudes a cocky air of self-assurance. He looks just as handsome as ever in a crisp button-down and designer jeans, his light hair artfully tousled. But now, I see past the polished exterior to the cruel, manipulative man beneath.
Liam glances up, a calculated gleam in his ice-blue eyes as he meets my gaze with a smug smile spreading on his lips. He must think I’ve asked him here to beg him to take me back.
That arrogant confidence slips as Liam spots Adrian’s tall figure next to me. My ex frowns, his face already betraying that quiet rage and meanness that made me feel so fearful when we were together.
I steel myself, gripping Adrian’s hand like a lifeline as we approach the table.
“Hi, Liam.”
“Who is this guy?” my ex asks, not even bothering to say hello first. His tone is accusatory, as if I’ve done something wrong by bringing someone with me.
I will my voice not to shake. “This is Adrian, my boyfriend.”
Liam’s perfect features contort in a sneer, and his face goes red. “What’s the meaning of this? I don’t appreciate wasting my time to meet your new fuckboy.”
I wince at his rudeness, my cheeks burning with humiliation. He’s even worse than I remembered. All the weeks I spent building up my self-esteem after our breakup seem to evaporate in an instant, leaving me feeling small and worthless again.
Before I can say anything, Liam stands up abruptly, his chair scraping against the concrete. “I’m outta here. Whatever you have to say, I don’t want to hear it. You’re a loser, Rowena, and you’ve always only dragged me down.”
His words hit me like a physical blow, paralyzing me. I stand there, mouth agape, unable to form a coherent response. But Adrian steps forward, giving me a nod before turning a menacing glare on Liam.
“You should sit down and listen to Rowena.” Adrian’s deep voice is calm but firm. “It’s important.”
Liam scoffs, looking Adrian up and down with disdain. “And who the hell are you to tell me what to do?”
Adrian doesn’t back down, meeting Liam’s gaze unflinchingly. “Someone who cares about Rowena and who won’t stand by while you disrespect her.”
The two men stare each other down, the air between them almost vibrating. I hold my breath, half-expecting Liam to throw a punch. But to my surprise, he breaks eye contact first, dropping back into his chair with a huff.
“Fine,” Liam spits out, crossing his arms over his chest. “Say what you have to say, Rowena. But make it quick.”
The sounds of the busy street fade to a muffled hum as we sit opposite Liam and I blurt out, “I’m pregnant.” Feeling like the world is slowly being drained of oxygen, I add, “And the baby is yours, Liam.”
My ex just stares at me, his ice-blue eyes wide with shock. Then, a harsh laugh erupts from his throat, cutting through the air like a knife.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Liam shakes his head in disbelief. “You expect me to believe that? For all I know, you’ve been spreading your legs for every guy in town, including this joker right here.”
I flinch at his crude words, my eyes glassing over with tears I don’t want to give him the satisfaction to see. Under the table, Adrian’s hands curl into fists. He looks about ready to pummel my ex into the ground for every venomous word Liam spat my way. But I find his hand with mine and subtly shake my head. Adrian’s fists unclench, and his fingers intertwine with my own in a quiet show of solidarity.
“It’s the truth,” I insist, my voice wavering but determined. “I wasn’t with anyone else before I found out I was pregnant. This baby is yours, whether or not you want to believe it.”
Liam leans back in his chair, a smug smirk playing on his lips. “Right, because you’re just the picture of honesty and fidelity, aren’t you, Rowena? I mean, look at you—running around with this guy mere weeks after we broke up. How do I know he’s not the real father, huh?”
Adrian tenses beside me, his jaw clenching with barely restrained anger. I give his hand a squeeze, silently pleading with him to keep his cool.
“He’s not…” I trail off, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “I swear to you, Liam, this child is yours. I would never lie about something like this.”
Liam studies me for a long moment, his gaze calculating and cold. Then, he stands up abruptly, fishing a few crumpled dollar bills from his pocket and tossing them carelessly onto the table. “I’m not paying for your mistakes. If you and your fuckbuddy here thought you could shake me down for money, you’ve got another thing coming.”
Adrian rises to his feet, his imposing figure towering over Liam. “Watch your mouth,” he growls, his voice low and threatening. “Rowena’s not asking for your money. She just thought you deserved to know the truth.”
Liam scoffs, waving a dismissive hand in our direction. “The truth? Please. I don’t owe either of you a damn thing.” He stares me down next. “If you’re stupid enough to get knocked up, that’s your problem, not mine.”
He jabs a finger at the measly bills scattered on the table. “That’s all you’re getting from me—enough for a coffee, and you’re not even worth that. Don’t contact me again, Rowena. We’re done.”
With that, Liam turns on his heel and stalks away, leaving me staring after him dazed, emotionally drained. Tears well up in my eyes, the crushing weight of his last humiliation pressing down on my chest.
“Adrian…” My voice trembles. “Please don’t judge me for having dated him. Liam… he wasn’t always like this. It took a long time for his true colors to show.”
Adrian’s expression softens, and he reaches out to pull me up into his arms. As the first sob rips from my throat, I bury my face against his chest, my body shaking with the force of my tears.