“I don’t know,” I groan.
I already want it to be over. I’m getting more frustrated with each day. The sooner this is over, the better.
“I don’t like this. Something feels off about it.”
“I know. Once I’m home, I’ll be able to think things through.”
I’ve been hiding out long enough. It’s time I head home and start to build a life for me and my baby. Oh, and there’s the engagement party my fake grandmother-in-law has planned for me. I’m exhausted from the pretending.
Grandma Christen decided to extend their stay once again to be here with me and the baby. All of this has become so disruptive to my life. I’ve been to tea every day with Gilbert’s grandmother.
If I don’t show, he blows my text messages up. It’s annoying, to be honest. I had three more weeks here, but Erica and I decided to just cut this one short and head home.
“Hey, remember when our dads built that fort in the backyard for us?” Erica says out of the blue.
“Yeah, I remember. They climbed in there with you, me, Bent, and Garret. That was so much fun.”
“Stupid sandstorm. They had to tear it down the next year.”
“Yeah, but Bent and Garret had outgrown it anyway, remember?”
“I guess. What I remember most is how much time Dad spent with us in there. I think Bentley is going to be that type of dad.
“Hearing the doctor today say that it’s a boy made me think of how he’s going to feel to find out he has a son. Dad would be so proud.”
I swipe my forearm across my cheeks. “I’m going to tell him. I almost called him after the appointment.”
I don’t tell her that I opened my phone to, but got sidetracked and opened a post about Bentley and his new rumored girlfriend. I ended up sobbing instead. I’ll tell him.
For now, I need to go home. Everything will get better when we go home. That’s what I need to hold on to for now.
CHAPTER 32
The Whole Truth
Zahirah
A year and three months later … Back to the present
I releasea heavy breath and lift my gaze back to my mother’s. I’m surprised when I don’t see disappointment in her eyes but understanding. I’ve been holding on to all this confusion, hurt, and guilt for so long; it feels good to say it all out loud.
“And you know the rest. Gilbert has pushed his way into every part of my life like he’s my real fiancé. Even Aaron’s birth.
“I hadn’t planned for him to be there. I’ve been trying to find a way out, but here we are, the day before my wedding,” I grumble.
“Not if I have anything to say about it. I knew from the time that little boy was born, he didn’t belong to that … that. Lord, I’m trying to be nice.
“The boy is good to you and Aaron. He has never done anything to make me want to hurt him other than pushing you into this wedding. I knew with everything in me that something wasn’t right and you didn’t want this. But my grandson looks like his father, not that waterhead snob trying to trap my baby.”
I burst into laughter. “I’ve never even slept with him. Not that he hasn’t tried. He kind of gives me the ick when he does.
“I can’t explain it. I’m so relieved that it’s all over,” I say and roll my eyes.
“Now is it? You have a whole family you owe an apology to. All the Coswells deserve the truth, not just Erica. Wait until Fran and I get our hands on her.
“You also need to talk to the father of that child. At first, Fran and I were giving you time to come clean and break off this charade. When we saw you weren’t going to handle it yourself, we made the call.
“When we called Bentley to tell him to get his butt home before he lost you forever, that boy was on the first thing smoking. He’s here, Zah. That has to speak for something,” she says.
