“Sorry, darling. They need me on this next call. Tell me what you need, and I’ll get Mandy to organize it for you.”
You. Just you.
Yethe’s too busy to prioritize my needs, and I’m not going to beg for his attention or force him to leave an important meeting. “I don’t need anything, and I thought you were going to fire Mandy?”
“I will when I have time to recruit her replacement.”
“Of course,” I clip out, failing to hide the snark from my tone. Work is all that seems to matter these days.
“I know this might be upsetting, but it’s for the best. We’re both far too busy for kids, and I’d rather we were married before you get pregnant. You know what my father is like.”
I’m astounded at his careless commentary and blatant dismissal, and it fucking hurts. Yes, this wasn’t planned, and maybe in a few days, Iwillfeel relieved, but my emotions areall over the place right now, and I’m grieving something I didn’t even realize I wanted.
“Sure. I’m going to sleep. Good luck with your call.” I hang up before he can say anything else to upset me and promptly burst into tears.
Roni comes into the room a few minutes later, wrapping her arms around me, and I collapse against her. “It’s okay, honey. Let it all out.” I cling to her as I sob. “Not now, love,” she whispers a few minutes later, but I don’t look up because I don’t need to see Callan to know he’s returned from the pharmacy.
Roni holds me and smooths a gentle hand up and down my back. It’s so soothing I cry myself to sleep in her arms.
When I next wake, the room is bathed in darkness, and it takes a few seconds for my eyes to adjust. A messy ball of emotion wedges in my throat when I spot Callan slumped in the tub chair at the side of my bed with a blanket half covering his body. At some point, he changed out of his work suit into sweatpants and a T-shirt. His head is angled awkwardly in sleep, and I bet he’ll have a sore neck when he wakes.
A flurry of emotions lay siege to me as I stare at him, and tears prick my eyes. How is it the ex I’m supposed to hate is the one here for me when the man I’m planning a life with couldn’t be bothered to put me first?
My head is a mess of conflicting emotions when it comes to both men.
Cramps knot my stomach, and my bladder throbs, letting me know I’m bursting to pee. Peeling the covers back, I gingerly climb out of bed, wincing as pain stretches across my stomach. Liquid gushes down my legs, and I grip the nightstand for support. “Fan i helvete.”
“Haven’t heard that one in a long time,” Callan says in a gruff, sleep-laden voice.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
He sits up, rubbing his eyes. “What do you need?”
This is going to be so embarrassing, and I wish Roni were here. “Could you turn the light on, please?”
Yawning, he gets up and walks toward the light switch on the wall.
“Where’s your mom?”
“She’s at my place minding Darcy.”
Light floods the room, momentarily blinding me.
“Can I carry you?” Callan asks, purposely not looking at the blood trickling down my legs or pooling on the hardwood floor.
I don’t want to say yes, but I don’t want to trickle blood all over the floor, and the truth is, I’m in agony. My stomach is cramping real bad, and I have a headache, most likely from all the crying. “Thank you.”
I close my eyes as he lifts me like I’m as light as a feather. He sidesteps the blood and walks me into the en suite bathroom, flicking the light on before gently setting my feet on the ground. “Can you take it from here?”
“Yes. Thanks.” I stare at him in horror. “Skit. I got blood all over you.”
He shrugs. “It’s cool. It’ll wash out.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry about.” His features soften with affection, and I look away. This is wrong. I can’t have him caring for me. Seán will freak out when he finds out. But what choice do I have? My friends don’t live in Ryemont anymore, and my family is in Sweden. And fuck him. He didn’t care enough to hear my unspoken plea. I don’t think I like the man my fiancé is becoming. I hate to say it, but I think he’s turning into a clone of his father, the man he claims he hates.
Hurt spears me through the chest, and I fight tears.
