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"Just one of my business partners," I clarify, turning back to her and trying to look pleasant.
"Oh. Thanks for inviting people you know to my party. It means a lot to me." Her hesitant smile is like a knife in my heart. My own flesh and blood is thanking me for telling other people she exists.
"Anything for you, Ella," I say, lifting my glass in a little toast to her. Damien is trying so hard not to laugh but failing miserably.
I shoot him another stern look, but Chloe’s arrival diverts my attention. I want to rush to her, but I know she wouldn’t be thrilled about that. Ella has already gotten there first anyway, ending my chances.
That doesn’t stop me from watching her.
Chloe walks in, her presence commanding the room. She gives me nothing more than a casual smile and a slight nod. I feel a mix of frustration and relief. Relief that she's even here at all, but frustration at the fact that I can’t touch her, not with all the guests here.
"Dad, you remember Chloe," Ella says, reintroducing us.
"What a lovely home you have, sir," Chloe says without missing a beat.
Sir? Is she kidding me? Damien coughs to stifle his laugh. I want to kill him.
"Thank you," I reply, unsure of how to answer her. Ella whisks her away without a glance my way, and I instantly feel like the air has left the room with them.
As Chloe walks away, leaving me with a cocktail of emotions, I glance at Damien, who raises an eyebrow. "Looks like you're in for an interesting night, my friend."
"No kidding." I suddenly have this intense need to kick everyone out of my house and grab Chloe. I want to own her. No, to make sweet love to her. Or is it to punish her for putting me through this, burying myself inside her until she begs for release?
"I know what you’re thinking. Stop it now. You’re not exactly being subtle." Damien offers me an almost sympathetic look. "No, I’m not a mind reader. I can just tell what an ass like you is thinking."
I don’t know if I should be happy that he knows me so well or sad. I choose to be satisfied because every once in a while, he’s my voice of reason.
Too soon, I realize that this birthday party has become a stage for a different kind of drama–one that I never signed up for but can't seem to escape. Hours later, the guests start to leave and I go in search of Chloe. I haven’t been able to have a second alone with her because she’s been glued to Ella’s side. I head tothe kitchen to look for her but stop just outside the door when I overhear someone talking about her.
"I’m gonna miss Chloe. Can’t you get her to change her mind? Toronto is too far!"
Canada? Chloe is leaving? She deceived me. I clench my fist so tight that anger courses through my veins.
"I’ve tried, but she insists on taking this job. Besides, she said she wants to raise her child there."
I recognize Ella’s voice.
"She still keeping you in the dark about who the father is?"
"Yeah. She won’t tell me, no matter how many times I ask. She just says she’ll tell me when the time is right."
"I’ve got an idea! We should throw a baby shower for her before she leaves."
"I thought of it, but she said she doesn't want it. She just says…"
Their voices trail off as they leave the kitchen through the far door to head back to the part. For my part, I’m frozen in place, too stunned to react.
Chloe’s pregnant. The realization hits me like a ton of bricks, and the room around me starts to sway. My jaw clenches, and without thinking, I push myself away from the wall. Chloe’s pregnant with my child, and she's planning to leave without telling me. The confusion and anger within me burn hotter than ever as I stride to the only place I know of where she might be if she isn’t down here with Ella.
Ella’s room.
I find her just as she starts to leave the room. There's a moment of shock in her eyes as I grab her arm and pin her to the door, a bit harsher than I should. My voice is practically a low growl, my anger simmering beneath the surface.
"You’re pregnant?"
Chloe gasps in surprise. At the look of fear on her face, I throw myself backward, giving her space. My muttered apology goes unheeded but her expression says it all. She’s carrying my child, and she had no intention of telling me.
"Chloe, I asked you a question. Are you moving to Canada? You’re pregnant with my child, and you didn't think to tell me?"
