My father’s face turned a deep, furious red. My words hit their mark like an arrow straight through the center of a target.
“Growing up, I never wanted to be a father,” I said. “You know why? Because I was terrified I’d turn outjust like you. That I’d be the kind of dad you were to me and Noah—a piece of shit who didn’t care whether we lived or died.”
My voice shook, but I didn’t back down.
“But now, I see things differently. You were actually a blessing in disguise, because you showed me exactly the kind of fathernotto be. I want to show up to my kid’s baseball games—not stay late at the office every night. I want to be in the crowd when they win an award at school—not sitting in some consultation, drooling over how much money a client is willing to pay me.”
I stepped closer, every word burning on my tongue.
“I want the mother of my children to feel loved—not like she’s just another person I can control. And that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’ll be everything you were never man enough to be. So take a good look, Dad. Because this is the last time you’ll ever see me.”
“Your brother hung himself because he was a coward. That boy was always troubled,” he sneered.
In an instant, the world went black—everything except my dad’s face. I swung at him, pure rage coursing through me. My fist connected with his cheek with a sickening force. He swung back, landing his punch. My mom’s screams were swallowed by the ringing in my ears. I couldn’t see, hear, or feel anything—only rage.
I grabbed him by the throat, driving him into the wall. “If I ever hear you talk about Noah like that again, I will kill you. That’s a threatanda promise,” I yelled into his face.
My mom stood behind me, trying to peel me off him. “Liam, let go,” she begged. I gave his throat one more strong squeeze before shoving him to the ground and backing away.
Blood started to flow from where my dad had landed his punch. I wiped it away with the back of my hand, staring down at my dad as he lay on the floor, looking up at me terrified. I hoped he’d never forget the way it felt to be scared like this. It was the same fear Noah and I had endured every day.
I wanted to get the fuck out of here.
Without saying goodbye to my mom, I turned on my heel and left, slamming the door behind me with a force I didn’t know I had.
Fuck that man—and fuck everything he stood for.
The legacy of the Carson name was about to change. Starting today.
Chapter 10 – Molly
I had finally come to terms with the fact that Liam wasn’t going to come around. I had called and texted him relentlessly for weeks, hoping he’d finally accept what was happening. I’d even considered showing up at his house, but in the end, I didn’t. If he didn’t want to be part of this, that was his loss. He was the one who would have to live with the fact that he had a son walking around this town—a son he’d never cared enough about to know. That was on him, not me.
My biggest obstacle now was figuring out how to tell my brothers. Over the past week, a faint curve had begun to form on my stomach. It was subtle enough that I could pass it off as bloating or eating too much—but not for much longer.
“Have you thought any more about how you’re going to tell everyone you’re pregnant?” Clara asked, standing next to me behind the cash register.
“I think my plan is to just rip it off like a Band-Aid. What do you think?” I asked, glancing at her with a hopeful smile.
“I don’t think everyone’s reactions are going to be as negative as you expect,” she said, still trying to be her normal optimistic self.
“Yeah, the only one I’m worried about is Jace. According to Liam, one time he mentioned liking me in high school, and Jace went ballistic. Told him I was off-limits. Made him promise to never come near me. Said he’d kill him if he ever tried. So…”
She raised her eyebrows. “I see the dilemma.”
“Yup,” I said, popping thep.
“Here comes your next dilemma,” she said, pointing out the window at someone walking up to the bakery.
Liam.
He walked through the front door, sliding his hands down into his pockets as he approached the counter.
“Hey.”
“Hey,” I said. My pulse raced like a thoroughbred chasing the finish line, and my head swirled with a mix of anxiety and irritation. After all this time, he just showed up at my bakery. His audacity pissed me off.
And yet, the man whose baby I was carrying was standing right in front of me. We had created a life together—something rare and special—even if I currently hated his guts.
