Stuck-Up Suit - Vi Keeland Page 0,74

Genevieve was unnerving. The photographer probably assumed they were married. Seeing the three of them together made me wonder what would be happening right now if I weren’t in the picture. This scene was like a glimpse into the crystal ball of what could have been. Would Graham consider taking her back if it weren’t for me? He’d told me he wouldn’t, but it might be different if I didn’t exist in his life. I could be the very thing that is keeping that little girl from having her parents together. My own childhood came to mind.

Was I Chloe’s Theresa?

My thoughts turned to Graham, who was walking toward me with two ceramic plates of cake. Apparently, this children’s party was too high-end for paper goods.

“It’s chocolate.” He winked. “Your favorite.”

I didn’t have the heart to tell him why I’d lost my appetite; even chocolate wouldn’t be able to heal the anxiety that came from the realization that I was a potential homewrecker. So, I forced the cake down as we stood together and watched as Chloe started opening her gifts.

One hour and piles upon piles of wrapping paper later, I really needed to use the bathroom. I’d been downing nothing but water and decaf coffee since alcohol was out of the question. Graham was assembling some of Chloe’s toys and hadn’t noticed me slip away.

The upstairs bathroom window afforded me the perfect view of where Graham was standing down below, showing Chloe how to ride a pogo stick. Feeling so conflicted, my heart clenched as I looked at Chloe’s sweet face, which was essentially a reflection of Graham’s face. Was I keeping this girl from the perfect fairytale of living under the same roof with both parents?

Then, I looked over at him. The man who I loved who probably wasn’t even sure that I loved him. I wanted him for myself. And that made me feel guilty. I was pretty sure if I did want kids, he was the only man I wanted as the father.

I pried my eyes away from the window and sat down on the toilet. Looking down at my underwear, I spotted it immediately. Bright red. I’d gotten my period. My stomach sank.

I’d expected to feel relieved, but it was the opposite: utter disappointment. It revealed a truth that I wasn’t even fully aware of until that moment: a part of me had wanted a baby with him even if I wasn’t quite ready. Because I loved him. Instead of relief, the blood symbolized a loss of something I didn’t even realize I wanted until now.

Thankfully, my dress was a dark color, and I’d thrown a pair of spare panties and a tampon in my purse just in case this very thing happened. I left the bathroom with a little less hope than I’d walked in with, knowing that I’d also have to break the news to Graham tonight.

As I walked down the hall, I stopped at Liam and Genevieve’s wedding picture. I looked into Liam’s eyes in the photo and whispered to him under my breath. Boy, you sure left a mess behind. I hope you’re in a better place.

If I thought I was having a bad day before, it became abundantly clear that the worst was yet to come when I saw who was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs.

“Genevieve.”

“A word, please, will you, Soraya?” Without giving me a chance to respond, she motioned for me to follow her and began to walk toward a set of French doors.

Feeling emotional from what had just transpired up in the bathroom, she was the last person I wanted to speak to at the moment. Yet I followed along like a puppy. She closed the doors behind us.

“Have a seat.” She gestured to a brown leather couch. Unlike the rest of the house that was bright and airy, this room was dark and masculine. Built-in bookcases lined the walls, and a massive cherrywood desk was positioned on one side of the room. Genevieve walked behind the desk and opened a cabinet. She pulled out an ornate crystal liquor bottle and two glasses, pouring amber liquid into both before offering one to me.

“No, thank you.”

“Take it. You may need it.” Her tight smile was laced with more spite than sweet.

Screw it. No reason to abstain anymore. I took the glass and sucked half of it back in one gulp. It burned a path from my throat to my stomach.

“I thought it was time the two