She’s a club bunny who has always wanted Trick. I’ve caught them in compromising positions and seen her naked on his bed several times over the years. She doesn’t allow the other brothers to touch her, and she doesn’t cook or clean. Trick makes sureeveryone knows she’s his, even though I'm his wife. My brother and parents have stood by and allowed it.
When she sees I’m not going to say anything, she glares at me—clearly frustrated that I won’t respond—before pulling a small piece of paper out of her back pocket and shoving it against my chest hard. I realize from the way she acts that she wants to force me to face what’s on the paper, and all hope I had of maybe convincing Trick we could try and be something vanishes at the picture in my hand.
“Miles and I are going to be parents, and I’ve had enough of you needing his so-called protection when your own brother is an officer. I want Miles to move forward with me, but you keep holding onto that wedding ring. It feels like you’re standing in our way, even after six years. He won’t even allow me near Willow because he’s afraid you’ll react badly, and that’s pathetic. Everyone believes you drugged his drink because you wanted to trap him and claim him as yours, and he believes it. You assaulted him and should be lucky you’re not locked up,” she says, and my jaw ticks as I stare at the scan photo that is definitely legit. I don’t recognize the name, but I don’t know her real name, so…
Everyone knows we were both drugged and forced into marriage, and it’s public knowledge at the hospital that our marriage is one of convenience—especially after he made sure everyone knew at the start of his residency. The rumors and the way people talk make it seem like most think I assaulted him to trap him. I constantly battle with the fear that even he believes it but by the sounds of things, he does.
"Do yourself a favor and give me my boyfriend back!" she snaps, turning on her heels and storming away. Bile hits the back of my throat as my pipe dream slowly disappears, leaving only heartbreak and pain.
Numbly, I shove the photo into my pocket and keep moving toward room four, dreading the moment I’ll have to take my break and message Belle. I am terrified of falling apart and desperate to come up with a plan because I think I’m done…
***
I slowly walk into the front door of Trick’s two-story Victorian home, he forced me to move into the day I had to sign the marriage license, hours later, and I drop my keys into the bowl.
I messaged Belle on my break, and my sweet, loyal friend quickly replied that she’d have Willow for the night and promised Crash wouldn’t be there, and I swear I could kiss that woman.
My head is too scrambled to be trying to be a mother right now.
I walk into the living area but freeze when I see Trick washing dishes in the open kitchen and Willow coloring at the breakfast bar and confusion hits me.
What the…
As if he can feel me staring, Trick looks my way and smiles one of those smiles I slowly fell in love with. I quickly look away and walk over to my daughter. He’s having a baby with his mistress. The woman who haunted my marriage is now mothering his child—no, their child, and I’m alone, more than ever.
“Hi, Mama,” Willow cheers, and I smile as I drop a kiss on her head, then run my fingers through her hair.
“I thought you were spending the night with Belle?” I ask softly, and she grins in return.
“Daddy wanted a daddy-daughter date,” she explains, and I chuckle slightly and look towards her father, who's now leaning against the sink, his arms crossed over his chest, his sole focus on me.
He’s lost his doctor's coat and replaced it with his cut his sleeves are rolled up, showcasing his tattoos, Willow's name is clear as day on his forearm.
“How was the rest of work, buttercup?” he asks softly, and I swallow the lump forming as Lavender's slender figure enters my mind, and I quickly blink it away before muttering, “Tiring. Mrs. Downing was discharged before I clocked out, but Betty took a turn for the worse, she lost the baby.”
Trick winces then mutters, “Fuck,” and Willow chides, “Daddy no, no!”
He winces again, and I sigh as I remove my shoes.
My feet hurt, my back aches, and my hands are sore with all the cleaning I’ve done, no thanks to Dr. Lavish, and I didn’t expect to see Trick here.
“Why don’t you go through with your nursing degree? You’re near enough qualified, buttercup.” Trick suddenly says, and I tense.
He hasn’t brought up nursing since I told him and my family where to shove it. He knows it’s a sore subject.
“I can’t afford it,” I state, and right now, I really cannot because I’ve just spent all of my savings on my break and didn’t have a choice.
“Then let me pay, let me help you reach your goals,” he says sincerely, and my anger doubles over.
I can’t help it, I snap, “No!” and his eyes widen, but I just shake my head.
He’s having a baby with his mistress.
While he’s spent our entire marriage screwing around and living his best life, I’ve spent it trying to come to terms with the fact that I’ll never be enough for him.
I don’t want his money, I don’t want my parents' money...
Huffing, I apologize, “I’m sorry I snapped, I’m just tired,” and he hums as he assesses me, then confirms, “But you won’t accept my help?”
