Our baby.
Victor shook his head but didn’t take his eyes from me. “No, thank you. I have to get back to work.”
I frowned, wondering how far away work was from here. I was carrying this man’s child, and for some reason, it seemed to matter.
Probably hormones.
“Do you need a ride to work?”
Definitely hormones.
Victor shook his head again, his lips lifting in the corner. “We both know I don’t deserve that, but again, thank you.”
I nodded as he walked away, pulling my purse strap up my arm. I wanted to get into my car and sob. Seeing the baby had made me feel things I hadn’t felt in a long time, and some that I had.
Like anger and frustration that Victor had done this to us. That was familiar, that I was used to.
But the blooming in my chest when I saw him break down in the scan room? That was new and fucking unwelcome. It was like he’d realised he was going to be a dad, and his whole world had come to a stop.
It was beautiful seeing our child on screen, even despite the circumstances between us. I couldn’t believe that was growing inside me, and suddenly all the symptoms didn’t matter.
I had made a beautiful baby.
Well, I supposed Victor contributed along the way…
“We’re not going there,” I muttered to myself, digging in my purse for my car keys.
“Lila,” Victor said my name in such a desperate way my head snapped up, my eyes wide. I thought he’d left already. “I just want you to know that I will be the best father I can be to our baby. I know you don’t have much faith in me, but I won’t let either of you down.”
His eyes, although dimmer than usual, and circled with darkness, flashed with determination.
“And for what it’s worth, I’m so fucking sorry.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Are you done?”
Victor blinked before sighing. “I still love you so fucking much. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
His admission was nothing different from before, but now it was almost dejected. Like he knew I didn’t care, but he wanted to tell me anyway.
I nodded, tears pricking my eyes.
“Okay. Thank you. I have to go; I need a nap.”
“Do you need anything brought home?” Victor asked, shoving his hands into his pockets. The sight of him like that, so broken, tired, and thin, made me want to reach for him.
But fuck no.
I had a baby to take care of. Sleep was my priority.
Not him.
“No thanks.”
“I can pick up Chinese food?—”
“I’m fine.”
“Right,” he said, staring at the ground. “Well, drive safe.”
