Chapter 37 #2
In her mind, we’re probably in love and happy to be having a child together. That’s my fault. I never told her how broken I am. Or how I’ve been pushing him away every chance I get.
When I don’t move, Harmony asks, “Now what?”
There’s only one thing I can do. “I have to go tell my husband.”
Temporary husband. I can’t allow myself to forget that part no matter how easy it has been to recently.
She nods and grabs my hand, tugging me from the bedroom. I stuff the digital test in my dress pocket—seriously, more women’s clothes need pockets—and almost trip over my own feet.
The pit of my stomach suddenly feels empty as Harmony holds the front door open for me. We’re immediately swarmed by Elias and Summer. I guess Isabella can only handle my little ball of energy for so long, but I can’t blame her. Summer is now on Elias’s back with a big toothy smile.
Will the new baby look like Summer with her fiery red hair, or will he or she look more like Victor and have blonde hair?
I try to keep my voice as natural as possible so no one picks up on the fact that I’m freaking out inside my own head. “Where is my husband?”
Elias nods over by the driveway. Victor is standing by a silver Lexus, talking to his father. I squint to figure out who the female is, and I sigh in relief when I spot his sister and not Mrs. Barlowe.
“I’ll be right back,” I say and turn toward Victor.
I bite my thumbnail as I march over to my husband and in-laws. This is something I need to tell him now. Or at least before I chicken out, and I’ve never been one to run and hide.
As I near them, I notice the smaller details.
Victor’s lips are tipped down. Odd. He’s always smiling.
And for him to be frowning at our family gathering, it can’t be good.
Has his father’s health taken a turn for the worse?
Rob’s body is stiff, and he’s saying something in a hushed tone I can’t hear.
Victor’s sister is leaning against the Lexus with her arms crossed over her chest and a scowl on her delicate face.
I almost turn around and head back to Harmony, but then Victor’s stormy eyes meet mine. They don’t light up like they normally do when he sees me.
Something is painfully, obviously wrong. “Is everything okay?”
Victor shakes his head. He shares a look with his father before turning back to me. “Have you looked online at all in the last twenty minutes?”
I’ve been too busy taking pregnancy tests, watching my life change. “No. What’s happening?”
“Barlowe Technology—” His words fall off, his tone strained.
Did something happen to his company? I’m not going to ask. I don’t want to push him to talk if he isn’t ready, especially if it’s a matter best spoken about in private.
His father faces me and gives me a scathing look. I may not know the man well, but I take a step back at the unfamiliar anger. “Someone leaked the fact that Victor isn’t my biological son.”
My heart drops to the floor. Who could do such a thing? I can imagine his mother doing something so terrible, but I doubt she’d want to drag her own name through scandal. And Rob has claimed Victor as his own. So, who—
My thoughts are cut off when Victor asks, “Who did you tell?”
I rear back, and my hand instinctively goes to my stomach. Victor’s eyes narrow in on the movement.
“I didn’t tell anyone. Not even Harmony or Lana.” I shake my head while my other hand finds the pregnancy test in my pocket. “You told me that in confidence, and I’d never break your trust.”
“You’re the only person who could’ve let it slip. Are you positive you didn’t tell and someone could’ve overheard you? People live to find out information like this. They can sell it for a lot of money.”
I take a step forward. Tears fill my eyes when he shakes his head at me. Even though there’s only a few feet between us, it’s almost as if a canyon separates us. “I promise. I told no one.”
“There’s a reason we don’t tell anyone this, Vic,” Rob says. He motions for Isabella to get in the Lexus, and she shoots me a pitying look before climbing inside. “I’m sorry, but I suggest a divorce.”
I flinch at his words. We married because of him, and now at the first hint of trouble, he wants us to break up. Who thinks like that? His father was so kind and gentle when I met him. I can’t believe he believes I spilled their secret.
Rob climbs into the back seat, slamming the door behind him, and the vehicle reverses out of our driveway. The gravel crunches beneath the tires, and the noise is almost too much for me.
I turn to Victor, but he doesn’t look at me. “Do you believe me?” My voice is desperate, but I don’t care. I still have the biggest news of our lives to tell him. But I can’t tell him when he’s accusing me of something so big.
Victor drops his gaze, studying his dress shoes. “I think I need some time to think about it.”
“Why are you avoiding my question?” I march forward, my voice raising, and people turn to look at us. I wouldn’t be surprised if the reporters were right behind me, snapping pictures as my life falls apart. “You don’t need any time to think about it if you believe me.”
He says nothing for what feels like an eternity. All this time, he dove headfirst into love with me, trusting me, and now at the first sign of trouble, he wavers?
Isn’t that exactly what you’ve been doing this entire relationship?
When he finally looks back up at me, he says, “You’re the only person who knows.”
From behind, Harmony’s voice reaches me as she says, “Please leave.” I can only hope she’s talking to the reporters.
My lips tremble, and a hand touches mine.
I glance over and find Harmony standing at my side.
Us against the world, as it always was. Even though I spent my life protecting her, she’s now a grown woman who has my back in return.
She doesn’t ask what’s wrong, but she knows something is. She knows I need her support.
“What now then?”
“Let’s finish this party.” Victor’s voice softens, but he doesn’t offer me any reassuring words.
This isn’t what I want. Not at all. I want my Victor back. I want his flirty and cocky grins. His supportive words. His love for me and Summer. Not the man who says something that sounds extremely like we’re about to break up.
He turns to walk away but stops. “You finally get your wish. After our contract is up, I won’t bother you about being with me for real anymore,” Victor says soft enough so only I can hear him, and my world shatters into a million pieces.