“God dammit, Dad,” Luca shouts.
Alaric turns his way, though only partially, ensuring he doesn’t put his back to me.
“You can’t even give me ten minutes of your undivided attention?” Luca sneers. “I come in here and tell you that some woman says she’s days away from giving birth to my son…”
He drones on, but I can’t make out any of the words over the high-pitched buzzing in my ears.
My synapses misfire and stall out. I don’t even blink until Luca appears in my line of sight over his father’s shoulder.
“You got someone pregnant?” The words spill out of me of their own accord. Surely I misheard him. Or maybe it’s a joke—a media stunt or the antics of a rabid fan. Bile burns up my esophagus. This can’t be happening.
“I’m so sorry,” Alaric murmurs, guilt, shame, and ultimately, confirmation, drenching every word.
Luca impregnated another woman.
Who’sdaysaway from giving birth.
Meaning Luca got someone pregnantnine months ago.
My brain screams at me to go. To run. To get as far away from this awful man as I can. I don’t just want to elope. I want to jettison off this planet and disintegrate into stardust.
I’m rushing down the stairs, nearly tumbling more than once, before I’ve even processed that I’m moving. Then I push out the door and take off back through the paddock.
CHAPTER 57
ALARIC
“That was uncalled for,” I snarl at my son as Evangeline darts down the hall.
I can’t go after her, despite every cell in my body urging me forward. I can’t go anywhere until I deal with the matter at hand.
Luca and Sophie showed up at my door a few minutes before Evangeline. He’s in shock—spiraling from the news that he’s going to be a father—and in his time of need, he came to me.
Moments ago, he was opening up. Sitting across from me and asking for my help. Seeking advice.
Now his defenses are firmly back in place. And on top of that, he was disrespectful and unnecessarily cruel toward his ex-girlfriend.
“You’re fucking her.” Luca slumps back in his chair, glaring at me with all the usual disdain I expect from him.
“Watch your language,” I snap. “Given your current situation, we have more important issues to face.”
“She was my girlfriend,” he barks.
Fury flares hot in my veins. “You’re sitting here telling me that you got a woman pregnantnine months ago, Luca. Was Evangeline your girlfriend then?”
He sags in his seat again, the defiant look he gives me reminiscent of those he’d dole out when I grounded him from his PlayStation. Of course he doesn’t have anything to say for himself now.
His behavior is shameful. I don’t even know where to begin with him.
“So let’s get this straight,” I continue. “You were with Evangeline for more than two years.”
He opens his mouth to object, but I press on.
“You cheated on her. Frequently and habitually, it seems. You let her foot the bill for all sorts of things under the guise of paying her back, which you never did.”
“Ric…” Sophie warns.
Luca snarls, leaning forward like he’s going to defend himself.
