Macy hesitates, but then slowly nods.
Colt’s face drains of color. “You!You slept with her? You slept withmygirlfriend?”
“Oh, Huxley…” Grace whispers.
Hux steps toward Colt, raising his hands. “It was one time, bro. Just one. We both felt like shit afterward—”
“You slept with my girlfriend? The first woman I ever loved?” Colt asks quietly.
It’s the calm before the storm.
I gently place my hand over his clenched fist, but he shakes me off.
“Yes,” Hux admits. “But it was only once. Wenevermeant for this to happen.”
Before I can react, Colt lunges, grabbing Hux by the collar and slamming him into the wall. Macy screams, and I cover my mouth, frozen.
“All these years…why didn’t you tell me?Why would you let me believe Caleb was mine?” Colt roars. “Why would you let me destroy my marriage over a child who isn’t even mine?Why?”
“I’m a fuck-up, Colt,” Hux fires back. “I’m not father material. You wanted a kid, so I let you have one. I figured… maybe the kid would have a better shot with you.”
Without warning, Colt draws his fist back, then slams it hard and fast into Hux’s jaw. His head snaps to the side, letting out a grunt as he slides down the wall, his eyes rolling into his head, dazed.
But Colt grabs him again, pulling him back up by the shirt.
“Colt, stop!” I cry.
He turns to me, eyes wild. “This one’s for you, Dee,” he snarls and lands a brutal hit to Hux’s nose. Blood splatters everywhere, and Grace starts to cry.
“Colt, please,” Macy pleads. “This is my fault. I should’ve gotten you both tested. If you want to blame someone, hit me.”
Colt drops Hux, letting him slump to the floor, then storms toward Macy. I dart after him and tug on his arm before he reaches her.
“Think, Colt. She’s a woman,” I whisper, my voice shaking.
He stops. His breathing ragged, the fury rages in his eyes like a man possessed, but so does heartbreak.
“Don’t worry,” he growls, glaring at Macy. “I’d never hit you. But Hux is getting tested. We’re not just taking your word for it, not after this. You ruined my marriage. You ruined my life.I despise you.And if youevercome near my wife again, I won’t be held responsible for what I do.”
I take his hand, our fingers locking.
“I’m s-sorry, Colt,” Macy sobs. “Hux and I… there was always this pull, but we never acted on it. That night, I was angry. I wanted to hurt you, and when I came back to get help for Caleb, I didn’t know about the surrogacy. The timing was awful. I never meant to destroy your marriage.” She turns to me. “I’m sorry, Dee.” Then she walks off toward the kitchen.
Colt turns to me, his whole body sagging. His eyes are brimming. I wrap my arms around him tightly, and he holds me like he’ll never let go.
The doctor helps Hux to his feet.
Grace presses a tissue to his nose. “Huxley, I’m disappointed in you. And Colter… violence isneverthe answer,” she says gently. “Fix your marriage, Colt. Make it right.” Then she walks out with Hux and the doctor.
“I’m sorry, Colt. I never wanted this to come between us,” Hux says on his way out.
Colt doesn’t even look at him. “Get out. Get tested. Take care of your kid. As of today, my trust fund contributions to Macy are done. That’syourresponsibility now.”
When the door shuts behind them, I look up, my heart hammering in my chest. “Are you okay?”
He exhales, resting his forehead against mine. “Honestly? I don’t know what I am.”
Macy re-enters with Caleb and Joseph. Colt pulls away from me and squats to Caleb’s level, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. “Just remember I love you, no matter what,” Colt says, voice cracking.
