“Get out.” My patience snapped. I seized her arm and shoved her through the doorway before she could spit out another word.
Pregnant or not, Erin Everton-Scott would never be welcome in my home. Or in my life.
THE INVISIBLE BOND
Vera
Sunday, November 13
Iwasn’t the only one who worked on Sunday afternoons. A few of my colleagues, including my boss, were in the office, dressed casually instead of in our usual business attire. Just as I reviewed documents that needed signing, I heard a familiar baritone voice call out my name.
“Vera.”
There he was, drawing one foot back and forth in an imaginary line, while his hands remained in his jeans pockets. His gray T-shirt emphasized his toned physique and contrasted well with his bright eyes. He wore his signature Rolex. The tight ache in my heart plummeted to my stomach, releasing an intense craving for the man whose hair showed glints of gold.
I placed my pen on my desk and straightened my back. “Mister Scott, is there anything I can do for you? Brenton is in his office if you need to see him.”
“I want to see you,” Alistair said. He moved toward me like a panther prowling in the jungle, hunting for prey.
“No,” I answered. I shook my head and folded my arms. “Not now.”
“I need to talk to you,sweetheart.”
I stood up and started marching toward the door.
“Where are you going?” Alistair asked, grabbing my hand. I shook it off as if it were poison.
Distancing myself from Alistair’s nearness, I placed my hands on my hips and sighed. “I need to get some air.”
“Would you like to grab some coffee together?”
“No.”
“Why not? It’ll just be coffee.”
“Why not? Hmm, let me think.” I paused, then released a breath of hot air. “You played me. First, I’m not a rich man’s toy you can pick up and drop when it suits you. Second, your psychotic girlfriend, oh right, sister-in-law or whatever the hell she is, came to my home and threatened me.”
“I had no idea she would pull something like?—”
“Third, you and Erin are expecting a baby. When’s the baby due?”
“In December. She and Oliver are expecting the child because I signed away my rights.”
“You shy away from responsibility.” I jabbed my forefinger at his chest.
“Oliver has Klinefelter syndrome.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s a chromosomal disorder,” he answered. “It causes abnormal development of the male reproductive organs. In other words, Oliver is infertile.”
“Oh,” I whispered, barely moving my lips. It made sense why Oliver was willing to take the child as his own. He wanted an heir, and Erin’s infidelity with Alistair was the golden opportunity.I bet Erin knew on the night she conceived. “Thankyou for the explanation, Mister Scott. Now, if you don’t mind, I don’t need the drama that comes with you.”
“Vera. Call me Alistair.”
“I don’t address strangers by their first names,” I retorted, still pissed at the man. My feelings were off-key, and my emotions became irrational in love and war.
“We’re hardly strangers.” Alistair smiled, leaning closer to me. The smooth touch of his thumb running along my face was enough to tranquilize the raging beast of my angry hormones that were ready to explode.
