Page 92 of The Broken Keys

Jaxon’s expression doesn’t change, but something shifts in his eyes. “Cash, I didn’t know about your history with her. Not until I was in Malaysia. And it wasn’t confirmed until I saw you together in the hallway outside her office.”

“But you knew her. You knew Livianna Hemings, the designer you were mentoring.” I huff out my disbelief. “How did you not put it together?”

“She never talked about you. She never mentioned an ex-boyfriend named Cash, or Callum, or anything.” He runs his hand through his hair, messing it up further. “And I neverasked. I knew she had a past that hurt her, but I didn’t push for details.”

“Convenient.”

“It wasn’t convenient. It was out of respect for her privacy.” His tone sharpens. “Something you might understand if you weren’t so busy chasing her when she clearly wanted space.”

The accusation lands hard, but I don’t back down. “She had my phone, and I had hers. I was following her to exchange them, but when she was driving erratically, I started worrying about her more than before.”

“Why would you be worried about her? Did something happen?”

“She had a panic attack this morning, and I wanted to make sure she was okay.”

“She had a panic attack?” His entire demeanor shrinks, distress overtaking everything else.

“Yeah. She passed out on her floor. I had to rush over there to help her.” I point to the parking lot. “But I guess you wouldn't know about that since you were too busy at the office making billions or whatever the fuck you do all day.”

“I was preparing to meet her at six.” His jaw clenches. “We were going to talk, and I was going to fight for her.”

“Looks like we both were.” I glare and wanna take him out for even saying this bullshit to my face.

A nurse pushes through the double doors, and both of us turn toward her. She scans the waiting room, then her eyes land on Jaxon.

“Are you here for Bridget Parks?”

“Yes, I’m her partner.” He’s already rushing toward the nurse. “How is she?”

I follow close behind, not caring if I’m supposed to be here or not. That’s Livianna they’re talking about. The woman I’ve loved since I was a kid. I deserve to know if she’s okay.

The nurse glances between us, clearly having thoughts about the situation. “She’s stable. The trauma team is still evaluating her, but her vital signs are good. She has a severe concussion, some bruised ribs, and lacerations that required stitches.”

“Thank God.” The relief is so overwhelming that I have to hold on to the back of a chair to stay upright.

Livianna’s okay.

The nurse’s expression shifts to something more somber. “However, I’m very sorry to inform you she lost the baby.”

Jaxon goes completely still beside me.

His face drains of color. “What baby?”

Holy… Fuckin a.This should be…interesting. All of a sudden, I feel like I should’ve said something.

The nurse’s eyes widen. “I… The pregnancy. I’m sorry, I thought you knew. The impact from the accident caused?—”

“She was pregnant?” Jaxon’s voice comes out strangled, barely above a whisper.

My stomach drops as devastation slices into him. He didn’t know. He had no fucking idea she was carrying his child.

Damn, I’m an asshole.

The nurse gazes between us, likely realizing she’s stepped into something complicated. “Yes, early stages. She was around seven weeks based on the preliminary examination.”

“She was almost two months pregnant.” His shoulders fall. “And it’s…gone now?”

“I’m sorry for your loss.” The nurse lowers her head.