“Yes, Dad. She’s my girlfriend.”
“That’s wonderful news. Congratulations, son,” Mom said warmly.
“Thanks, Mom. I’m so happy.”
“How long have you kept this secret from me?” Lexie asked, feigning hurt.
“No need to take it personally—it’s only been three days.”
“Seventy-two hours? Do you know how much can happen in that time? You should’ve told me the moment she agreed!”
“Noted. I won’t make that mistake again.”
“Lexie, cut him some slack. He’s allowed to share news whenever he’s ready,” Mom interjected.
Lexie leaned in close and whispered, “They still won’t be able to save you.”
“Mom, Lexie is threatening me!”
I declared, half-serious, half-joking.
“I am innocent,” she insisted, raising her hands in mock surrender.
“We need to celebrate this,” Dad said, just as the butler entered the room.
“I was about to call for you,” Dad said.
“Sorry to interrupt, sir, but there’s a lady here to see Mr. Kevin.”
“A lady? Is it Licia?” Dad asked.
“No, sir.”
“Did she give her name?”
“No, sir. Just that Mr. Kevin would want to see her.”
“Send her in.”
As the butler left to retrieve the guest, a sense of unease settled over me. When she finally walked in, I felt my heart stop.
“Chloe?”
“You know her?” Mom asked, her voice tinged with concern.
I couldn’t answer. I was too stunned to speak. My eyes were locked on the little boy in her arms—he was the spitting image of me at that age.
Please, let this not be what I think it is…
Before I could gather my thoughts, Chloe dropped a bombshell that shattered my world. “Hello, family. I’m Chloe Fletcher—mother to Kevin’s son.”
Chapter Nineteen
Licia
The fluttering of butterflies in my belly was an unexpected sensation, like a whirlwind of teenage excitement that I thought had long faded. The feeling was new and thrilling, a stark contrast to the mundane rhythms of my adult life.
Ever since Kevin asked me out, I had been basking in a dreamy haze, as if Cupid’s arrow had lodged itself firmly in my heart, and I had no desire to pull it out.I reveled in this feeling of being loved and cherished, it was a sweet escape from reality.
