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“And where would you run this business out of?” he asks gruffly, seeming to wrap his mind around it for the first time.
“Well, probably my house to start. But once things pick up, maybe I’ll rent a space and open a little shop.” I’m improvising now, but as the words leave my mouth, they just feel right.
“Well, I’m happy to hear that some good has come out of this disaster,” Daddy says, and my chest tightens as I realize I’m not out of the woods yet.
“There’s more to this confession,” I say, my voice softening. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but I’ve fallen for them, Daddy—Zach, Luke, and Cilian. They’re three wonderful men who have shown me love and support in ways I never thought possible. And I think I can make a relationship work with them.”
“Allof them?” he asks incredulously, his face reddening in exasperation.
“Yes. I know it’s not conventional, but it works for us. They’ve agreed to give it a try, and it’s what I want.”
His silence stretches, an unbearable weight in the room, and I can see the storm of emotions raging behind his eyes, but he remains stoic. Finally, I can’t take the silence any longer.
“There’s something else,” I whisper, unable to say it any louder.
“Christ, Mia. It’s only been two months since I saw you last. How can you possibly have managed to collect so many secrets in that time?” he demands.
“Well… they’re all kind of… connected,” I admit nervously.
But the subtle hint flies right over his head, and Daddy stares at me openly, waiting for me to drop the bomb.Like ripping off a Band-Aid, right?
“I’m pregnant,” I finally say, the admission lingering in the air like an explosion. “It happened on Halloween, and I’m certain it’s one of theirs.”
“But you don’t know which one?”
I shake my head, dropping my eyes as I consider how I can say this as delicately as possible. “It would be impossible to know without a paternity test since I was… with all three of them that night. But to me, it doesn’t matter who’s the father. I’ve made up my mind. I’m keeping the baby.”
“Mia, you’re so young. Are you sure about this? It’s a huge responsibility.”
“I am, Daddy. I’ve thought about it a lot, and I want to do this. I’m not alone, though. I have Cilian, Luke, and Zach. We’re going to figure this out together. I want to raise this child with them. I want to create a family with them, even if it’s not traditional. They make me happy, Daddy. Can’t you be happy for me? I’m happy for you and Tina.”
His face darkens, and for a moment, I fear he might actually have a heart attack. The seconds tick by, each one stretching into an eternity. The room is stifling, the air heavy with anticipation.
Finally, he speaks, his voice a hoarse whisper. “You’ve left me speechless, Mia. I don’t even know where to begin.”
“I know it’s a lot to take in,” I admit, my voice quavering. “But I need you to understand. I need your support, even if you don’t agree. This is my life, my choice. And I want you to be a part of it, even if it’s not what you expected or maybe envisioned for me.”
He continues to stare at me, a storm of conflicting emotions playing out on his face. The silence hangs between us, a fragile bridge waiting to either collapse or hold the weight of the truths I’ve laid bare.
Releasing a heavy breath, my dad smiles, his eyes softening. “Honey, I will always support you. Even if I want to strangle those three idiots for ever thinking they could deserve you.”
That makes me laugh, and I lean in, wrapping my arms around my dad’s neck in a fierce hug. “I love you too,” I breathe, happy tears stinging the backs of my eyes.
28
CILIAN
Istand outside the hospital room, doing my best to listen in without putting my ear against the door. It’s not something I usually do—eavesdrop on private conversations—but this is different. This is Mia and her father, discussing something I’m confident Mike will not be happy about.
I need to know what’s going on.
After how angry he got when we walked in the room, I’m not taking any chances, even if I know Mike would never intentionally hurt his daughter.
The voices inside are hushed, and it takes a moment for the words to register. Mia is speaking, her tone filled with a mixture of determination and vulnerability. I strain to catch every word.
“I’ve made up my mind. I’m keeping the baby.”
The revelation hangs in the air, and I can almost feel the weight of it pressing down on Mia’s shoulders. There’s a pause, then Mike’s voice, gruff and concerned, breaks through.
