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"Dad," Ella whines softly, her lips quivering.
God, this wasn’t my intention. I never wanted to be a homewrecker or the reason my friend is losing the only thing she’s wanted for so long. This is why I never intended to tell anyone, why I just wanted to disappear.
"Not another word from you," Jeremy warns her.
"You’re screaming at me because ofher?" She turns to me and then back to her father. She looks at him sadly, her eyes glistening with tears.
"I was so happy when I found out I had a father after Mom died. I was even more thrilled when I found you. It was more than I’d ever thought possible. But you don’t see me or accept me. I can feel it in the way you treat me. You’ve built a wall around yourself, and not even your own child can break through it. I tried, Dad. For five years. I spent all that time hoping that you would accept me, but you never did."
Jeremy doesn’t say a word. Ella stops and wipes her eyes, her posture straight now that her anger has returned.
"I regret ever knowing that you’re my father." Ella shoots one last venomous glance at me before leaving. Her tear-stained face breaks me.
After she’s gone, the guests mill about in awe, whispering among themselves. Jeremy wraps my trembling body in a towel and carries me into the house despite my protests.
"Jeremy, let me go."
"Not another word, Chloe. What were you thinking going after Ella like that? What if Anthony wasn’t there to rescue you when he did? What if you had died? Have you thought about that?"
He’s more worried than angry, and at that, I keep my mouth shut and allow him to carry me. He doesn’t put me down untilhe reaches his bathroom. I shower and change into Jeremy’s clothes. My mind is with Ella, though. I need to find her before she does something stupid to herself.
The first place I might find her is at her usual bar. That is where I’m heading when Jeremy stops me.
"Move in with me, Chloe."
Has he lost his mind? I spare him a glance, and then I move to leave once more. He blocks me again.
"Did you hear what I said?"
"I don’t know about you, but the only thing I can hear right now is your daughter’s broken heart. I’m gonna go look for her and make this right." I skirt past him, but I can already hear him coming after me.
"I can’t let you go out there."
"I don’t need your permission," I snap, turning to face him. "I do have one question, though. Do you even love your daughter?"
"Of course, I do. But I love you too and I don’t want you hurt."
I snort. "That’s not enough. You see, this thing we are doing, whatever it is… it’s over. We’re finished."
I'm about to walk out, but his words slow my steps. He just told me he loves me. I would have been happy under different circumstances. I’ve waited so long to hear those words, to be loved by someone as much as I love them. But it’s too late.
I keep walking out, but he catches my hand and pulls me back. He holds it close to his chest, caressing it with a strange sense of urgency.
"Did you hear what I said? I said I love you, Chloe."
"That doesn’t change anything, Jeremy. I’m sorry." He’s shocked and hurt, and I want to make it go away, but that will only complicate things.
"We’re not over. My child is growing inside of you. I love you."
I turn around to look at him. It’s written clearly on his face. I want to believe that this is his love for me, or our child. But no. I know better by now He’s found a way to control me again, to get his way. That’s all. I’m not playing along this time.
"Jeremy, I've thought about it a lot over the past few weeks. I've decided to terminate this pregnancy."
17
JEREMY
The air in the room feels heavy, charged with tension, as Chloe delivers the news. My mind struggles to process the words as anger surges within me.
