and Morgan, and now they’re one happy family. I don’t want my baby growing up without a dad.
Maybe I’m old fashioned, maybe I’m unreasonable, but I want my child to have its father around. Even if it’s not its biological one.
I could tell Reed…but I can’t tell him now. I need to give him some time to calm down. To be open to the idea of talking to me again.
I don’t want to be one of those women who has a baby with a man in secret and never reveals the identity of the father to their child. I want to have an open and honest relationship with this baby. The kind that Annie never did with Reed. I don’t want to make the same mistakes as she did.
I will tell Reed. I have to. Then it is up to him to decide what he wants to do with that information. This baby wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for him. I owe him that.
I’m falling asleep now, and I picture giving birth to a perfect little baby with the same blue eyes as its father. The same head of dark hair. In this fantasy, Reed is there in the hospital with me, holding my hand and smiling down at the baby’s face.
I wake up with a start, gasping for air. That fantasy is painful. Especially because I know there won’t be anyone by my side when I give birth. Only Gigi.
My parents don’t know yet, and I know they won’t be happy when they find out. Maybe I can keep it a secret. Maybe they never have to know.
I press my eyes closed. Tears roll down the sides of my face as I try to banish all those thoughts and focus on the welfare of my baby.
Isn’t that all that matters?
21
Reed
Even though I haven’t slept all night, I feel wide awake. I’m buzzing. When Tom arrives at the house to hand me a few files I requested yesterday, I’m walking around the pool in the blistering sun.
“Mr. Silvers?” he calls out to me. I look up at him, blinking. I don’t know how long he’s been standing there trying to get my attention.
“Hey,” I say but my voice comes out like a hiss. I can see he senses something is definitely wrong. He holds up the files.
“I have the information you wanted on PC Schulz,” he says and puts them down on a deck chair.
“Yeah, great, thanks. I’ll have a look.”
He doesn’t leave.
“Sir, is there anything I can do for you?” he asks.
“No. There is literally nothing anyone can do for me at this moment.”
“Okay,” Tom replies and he looks a little disheartened, like he’s sad he can’t help me at all.
“My mother. She’s alive,” I say.
Tom looks confused for a moment, and then he starts putting two and two together. I’m sure he’s known all along what I’ve been trying to find out.
“Did Ella find her?” he asks, and I give him one nod.
“Apparently, she wants to meet me,” I reply.
Tom gulps.
“Will you, sir?”
“Will I what?” I snap.
“Meet your mother.”
“No!” I growl. “I don’t want to have anything to do with her. I wish I never found out she’s alive.”
Tom nods like he agrees, and just then, Missy shows up at the door.
“Mr. Silvers, there’s a lady here to see you.”
Before she’s even finished the sentence, Tom and I stare at each other, knowing exactly who it is. There is no doubt in my mind.
He gulps nervously, probably afraid I’m going to do something physically rash or violent. My mother is here. I should have known. Ella probably sent her here. Supplied her with my address.
Why won’t she just stay out of this? Why?
I have my fists clenched. Missy stares at me and then at Tom, not knowing what to do.
“Send her back here,” I growl at her.
Tom gives me a nod and then turns and walks into the house. I’m alone by the pool again. I feel self-conscious. I feel jittery. I want to crush something.
I can hear voices inside the house. Missy is probably leading the way here. I stand with my feet planted wide apart.
I can see shadows and finally two figures at the glass doors that are already open. Missy holds an arm out, and an older woman steps forward. She has a polite smile on her face, and she looks up and our eyes meet. The smile fades from her face.
I recognize her immediately.
“You!” I shout. My voice is like thunder.
“Reed…” she says my