“I don’t need a fucking therapist,” I scream, screwing the sheets in my hands angrily. I exhale, shaking my head. “I can’t believe I just sat there and poured my heart out about the only man I ever loved,” I whisper.
His eyes fill with hurt immediately and he pushes to his feet. His expression is back to cold. “Are we agreed or not?”
I stare past him, folding my arms over my chest. It’s not a choice, not really. I can’t stay here knowing it’s eating into my dad’s savings. And Ray isn’t going to let me trot off back home like none of this happened.
I give a slight nod and he exhales. “Good.” He swoops down to press a chaste kiss to my forehead, which I recoil from. He notices, shakes his head sadly, and leaves.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
RAY
I wait outside the hospital entrance, watching the clock tick closer to six.
Alec told me they come together every evening to have dinner with Wynter. It’s a structure she needs, something stable to ground her.
As they approach, Lucy spots me first and her whole body stiffens. She doesn’t slow down, so I step forward. “I thought we could grab a coffee and talk,” I say.
“If it’s about what I think it is, forget it,” she snaps, trying to walk straight past me.
I move, blocking her path. Her patience snaps. “For God’s sake,” she mutters.
“It’s happening, Lucy,” I say evenly. “I’d prefer you get on board rather than stand in the way.”
Her eyes flash. “I hate men like you,” she spits. “Men who think they can bulldoze through everything because they’ve got money and power.” I don’t respond, I’ve learned quickly that if she’s got something on her chest, it’s best to let her express it.“You’ve got a God complex,” she continues, her voice low but vicious. “And maybe that works out there,” she gestures vaguely, “in your world, but not here. Not with real families who actually love each other.”
I swallow the words I want to say, knowing it’ll only piss her off more.
“And I get it,” she adds, softer but no less cutting. “You didn’t grow up with that, so you wouldn’t understand. But we love that girl more than you’ll ever know.” My jaw tightens. “And we won’t stand by and let you break her again.”
Silence hangs between us. I let it sit, because reacting won’t help. “If you love her like you say you do,” I say finally, “then hear me out.”
She glances at Alec, who gives a small nod. It’s reluctant, but permission all the same.
We sit in the hospital café a few minutes later. Lucy doesn’t look at me, her arms are folded tight across her chest, like she’s physically holding herself back from tearing into me again.
Alec offers me a small, apologetic smile.
“I’ve paid the fees,” I say. They both snap their attention to me. “I know you didn’t want me to,” I add quickly. “And I know you could’ve handled it. But I needed to do something to help, because as you rightly pointed out, Lucy, it’s mainly my fault she’s here.” Lucy scoffs, shaking her head in disbelief. “I owe Wynter,” I continue, “for everything I put her through. And I’m going to do whatever I can to make that right.”
Lucy leans forward, her eyes sharp. “I came to see you because I thought you already knew about the baby,” she says. “I thought you’d walked away from her knowing that.” There’s something almost like regret in her tone. “If I’d known the truth,” sheadds, her voice hardening again, “I never would have told you. Because this baby doesn’t need a man like you in its life.”
My temper flickers, and I fight to keep it in check.
“It’ll have more than enough with us,” she finishes.
“You don’t get to make that decision,” I say, my voice low. “This is my child too. And I’ll be part of its life, with or without your approval.”
Alec shifts slightly beside me, clasping his hands together. I have no doubt he’s picturing slamming his fists into my face.
“She was hurting before I came along,” I continue. “I didn’t know how bad it was, or why she ran to London. She didn’t tell anyone.”
“She didn’t run away,” Lucy snaps. “She needed a fresh start.”
I exhale sharply. “Same difference.” Her glare could cut glass. “She agreed to move in with me,” I say.
Lucy’s head snaps up. “What?”
Alec doesn’t look surprised. He just watches me carefully.
