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“I’m moving,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Were you going to tell me?” I ask, crossing my arms beneath my chest. “Or are you moving in with Kathy? That’s it, isn’t it? It’s why you haven’t called me.”
The bile rises in my throat. I should have listened to Dad’s warning.
“No, Alexandra,” he tells me sternly. “Please sit down so I can tell you the truth.”
I sit on the barstool next to the countertop, purposely keeping my distance.
“My grandfather was a very wealthy man and had strong family values. When he passed away, he left me his estate. However, there were terms to my inheritance…”
“Terms?” I interrupt. “Like what?”
He drops his gaze to the ground, unable to look at me. “I had to marry and have a child within a certain amount of time. If I didn’t, I lost everything.”
“Your grandfather made those the terms? What an asshole,” I say out loud. “So, Kathy?”
“Part of the plan.”
“But the baby part?”
“After you and I ended, I was devastated but hated admitting it was because I lost you,” he admits in a low voice. “I just became bitter and focused on the money. So, I came to an agreement with Kathy. We try In Vitro and have a baby.”
“Then you lost it…”
“Kathy was never pregnant to lose it. After multiple failed attempts, we had to lie to buy us more time.”
I sit here in shock, unable to move as I try to process what he is telling me.
“I don’t understand. Why did Kathy go along?”
“Because I promised her half the estate.”
My head shakes in disbelief. “And so, these boxes. I don’t understand.”
Hunter lets out a long-winded sigh.
“I gave it all up, Alexandra. I’m done with living a lie. It’s not how I want to begin my life with our son. I have to be out of here tomorrow.”
“So, everything you have is gone?”
“I have an apartment and car,” he tells me. “But what probably hurts the most is my company. I built it from the ground up, and losing my team is hard. I just hope they are treated well for the next buyers.”
I rub my face, trying to make sense of all of this. “But you have a son, so why can’t you keep it all?”
“The contract is specific. I must be married.”
My feet touch the ground as I jump off the stool. “Then, I’ll marry you. Problem solved.”
A slow smile builds across his face. “No, Alexandra. You will not marry me under some ridiculous contract.”
“But, you’re giving up everything. Why?”
Hunter moves to where I stand, his body flush with mine. He towers over me but leans down, inches away from my lips.
“All the money in the world means nothing if I don’t have you and Elijah.” He runs his thumb against my bottom lip. My body trembles, falling apart at his touch. “I want to do this right.”
I throw my hands onto his cheeks and pull him in for a deep kiss. My entire body ignites into a roaring flame when our lips touch. His hands wrap around my waist, pulling me into his as our bodies collide.
