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“That’s what you ask? Tell me, does that mean you’re sorry, or you’re sorry you got caught?”
He shook his head. “Both.”
I held my breath, trying to figure out how not to scream at him. How to keep my voice low enough that Austen didn’t hear us argue. I was exhausted. I hadn’t slept through the night since she was born. After my mother left I was ready to hire a night-time nanny because I was slowly losing my mind. How did new parents function? I napped every chance I had. The sleep deprivation was taking a toll. And now this? This? My husband was keeping secrets from me?
I walked into the room still wearing my PJs from last night. I had no idea what time it was, probably close to three or four in the afternoon. I still needed a shower. My messy bun was falling out around my face. And that frigid stunning ice queen had just rolled an avalanche in here and left.
“What did Sasha mean about a paternity test?” I walked to the couch and sat. Jeremy’s laptop was open. I blinked at the spreadsheet on the screen.
“It’s nothing.”
“The legitimacy of our daughter is nothing? Don’t give me that bullshit.”
He ran his fingers through his dark hair. He was exhausted too. I could see it in his eyes, but he hadn’t complained once.
“Byron Lancaster filed a petition on behalf of my mother. A paternity test has to be submitted before the court will finalize the transfer of funds for the estate.”
“When?”
He shook his head. “There’s no deadline.”
“No. When did Byron file the petition?”
Jeremy lowered his head. “Over three months ago.”
“You’ve known for months and never said anything? How could you keep that from me? Why do they need a test? We followed the will.”
Jer sat across from me. His elbows planted on his knees. “I didn’t say anything because I asked Dr. Simons if it was possible to do the test while you were pregnant.”
“You did what?” There was fire in my words and eyes.
“I know. I know. But she told me it was risky, and I dropped it that second. I never mentioned it because there was no point while you were pregnant. I wasn’t going to put that stress on you.”
“You went behind my back and talked to Dr. Simons? I don’t understand why you would do that. Something doesn’t make sense. Why do they need a test, Jer? Why is there any question whether Austen is your baby?”
He held his hands forward. “This kind of money brings out the worst in people. You know that. You know my mother. She’s a snake in the grass—always. The woman is heartless. Even about her own grandchild.”
“Jer,” I warned. I wanted an answer, not a god-awful fairytale explanation about the wicked queen in the castle. “Why did Byron request a paternity test?”
“He found out about the fertility clinic in Atlanta. I’m not sure who told him. He argues you were already pregnant when we eloped. He thinks one of the sperm donors is Austen’s biological father, not me.”
“I will kill him.” I hopped up from the couch. “I will strangle him with my bare hands. I want to get on the jet right now. I want to fly to Newton Hills. Call the pilot. Call him. Now.” My eyes blazed. “I’m going to talk to Byron Lancaster face to face and then your mother!” I screamed. “How dare they. How dare they.” I felt the sobs hit me hard.
Jeremy walked up behind me, circling his arms around me. “Breathe, baby. Breathe.”
I let him pull me against his chest. “She’s our baby,” I choked.
He ran his fingers through my bun, untying the last strands until my hair fell in loose waves on my shoulder.
“She is our baby. But we aren’t knocking anyone’s teeth out today. Ok? I’m going to handle Byron and Sylvia.”
I could hear his heart beating as rapidly as mine. He was calm on the exterior, but under his skin, his blood was boiling too. His pulse raced with anger.
I sniffed and looked into Jeremy’s eyes. “We need to do the test today.”
“There’s no rush. We can talk about it some more.”
“No.” I felt the resolve replace the helplessness I had felt. “We are taking Austen to get the test done today. And then we are going to get your money. We are going to buy your baseball team. Your mother can suck it.”
