“No form of contraceptive is one hundred per cent reliable, and do I need to tell you, it only takes once?”
I think back to the night in question. It was the night before she’d dropped her parental engagement bombshell. We’d all drank too much to celebrate the New Year. Everyone stayed over at my parents’ house, and Darra came to my room. Fifteen hours later, our relationship was over.
Fuck.
I sink down onto the sofa, my head spinning.
This can’t be happening.
Jax remains silent next to me.
“What are you going to do?” I ask.
Ultimately, it’s Darra’s body. It’s her choice.
“I’m having our child,” she says firmly. “We’re having this baby.”
I squeeze my eyes closed as spots dance across my vision. My lungs constrict as I struggle to take in enough oxygen.
This can’t be happening.
“How does he know it’s his?” Jax says, the venom in his voice unmistakable.
“You bastard,” Darra says, her eyes filling. “I know you hate me, Jax, but that’s low, even for you. I’m just over two months pregnant. Do the maths, dumbass!”
“It’s mine,” I tell him.
“Oh hell,” he hisses.
Oh, hell, indeed.
“Now you have to marry me, Elijah. If you don’t, I’ll make sure I go to every newspaper in the country and disparage your name. The Frazer name will be mud by the time Dad and I are done.”
The look in her eye lets me know she’s telling the truth. I may have the Frazer name and money behind me, but reputation is everything, and Darra will be out for blood. I can’t let her destroy my family.
“Okay. I’ll marry you. Once it’s been proved the baby is mine.”
“Elijah,” Jax says. “You don’t have to do this.”
I turn sadly to my friend. “Yes, I do.”
“Fine,” Darra says. “I’ll get a DNA test done and prove the baby is yours. I’ll need a sample.”
“Fine. Tell me when and where, and I’ll do it.”
If the baby turns out to be mine, there’s no way on this planet I’ll leave a child of mine to be raised by this manipulative bitch, even if it does mean giving up my own freedom to secure theirs.
CHAPTER 23
ELIJAH
Imake my way upstairs, happy to put some distance between us. Memories of what was and could have been are coming thick and fast. Pen never knew I was going to ask her out. I called her up and cancelled our night out, choosing instead to get blind drunk with Jax and Zach.
I retrace my steps and grab my and Pen’s bags from the car. Pleased now I had the foresight to bring a change of clothes and my wash-bag before I left the office.
I head upstairs and enter a bedroom. I realise my mistake instantly. This is Pen’s room. I leave her case by the door and step inside.
A large four-poster bed sits in the middle of the back wall. A chaise longue positioned in the window. Because the bedroom is at the back of the house, one of its walls is entirely glass, like the kitchen it has spectacular views overlooking the picturesque landscape. I see the sun rising and realise Pen’s bed is perfectly positioned to enjoy the view.
