Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
I didn’t believe it, but it was true. The love of my life deserted me in my time of need, and I was bitter. I couldn’t even get out of bed for the first few days, and after that, the investigation was a huge waste of time. I didn’t care what happened. I showed up to the questioning, remained neutral as the panel shot questions at me, and didn’t give them any reason to find fault. Everyone was astonished at the calm with which I conducted myself, but it wasn’t really calm. It was nothingness. Without Aria, I simply didn’t care anymore.
Of course, I was cleared by the panel, and soon after, I took off for Maine. The mountains and Mother Nature herself were a balm to my wounded heart. The woman whom I grew to treasure more than anything else, was in fact, not the woman I thought she was. She didn’t stand by me in my time of need, and in fact deserted me when I craved her support the most.
But none of that crossed my mind when I decided to attend the holiday party. I was back in town to grab some stuff from my apartment, and happened to stumble upon the email invitation. What the hell. I had a couple hours to spare before driving back up to Maine, and I might as well say hello to a couple of people while I’m here.
But that’s when I got the shock of my life because Aria was at the party. What? She must have re-enrolled at the university, and I had half a mind to storm up to her and demand apologies. I wanted to shake her by her shoulders until her teeth rattled before kissing the breath from those beautiful lips.
But then goddamned Maximo Rossi made his move, and at first, red rage suffused my vision. Who was this disgusting snake-oil salesman? Sure, his specialty is allegedly Jane Austen, but it’s clear that he’s no Austen hero. Instead, he’s wily and greasy, like a villain from the Rocky Horror Picture Show. I watched with revulsion as he attempted to make conversation about sushi, of all things, with my gorgeous girl.
But then my mouth dropped open and my heart stopped beating. It literally paused in my chest for a moment when I heard Aria mention a son. Her son, to be precise. What the fuck? All the blood drained from my face and my knees grew weak. Was she being serious?
But as the conversation continued, it was all too true. Aria had a child, and judging from her round figure, she’d only given birth quite recently. Immediately, the thought zoomed through my head: was the baby mine? Holy hell. Was I a father?
Suddenly, I had to know. Like a caveman, I shouldered my way into the conversation. I literally pushed Maximo Rossi out of the way and claimed my girl’s mouth right there at the departmental holiday party, in front of everyone to see. As she jolted and then sighed beneath my lips, suddenly, I knew the truth. Aria had had my baby in secret … and I’m now a daddy.
10
Aria
“Roland, it’s not like that,” I say quickly. “I can explain.”
The handsome man whirls towards me, stalking like a furious lion in his tiny kitchen. After he kissed me beneath the mistletoe, much to the shock of everyone at the party, Roland basically dragged me outside before shoving me into his car. Now, we’re at his apartment and he’s giving me the ninth degree.
“Explain what?” he roars. “That you had my baby? That I’m a father now? That you kept this incredible secret from me for over a year?”
“Roland,” I say in a wobbly voice while holding my hands up. “It’s not that bad. I can explain.”
“How?” he roars again. “What possible excuse could you have? I missed the first year of my son’s life because of your lies. What the fuck is wrong with you, Aria? How could you do this? I thought we were in love, and then you disappeared and had my child. What the hell?”
My heart swoops and then dives when I hear him say that he once loved me. After all, we adored one another, a long time ago. Sure, our relationship was illicit, but it was real. I loved being with this man, and he enjoyed my company as well. We coupled, laughed, bickered and stroked one another in and out of the classroom. Right here, on this kitchen countertop, in fact.
But now, the alpha male must be appeased and the only thing I can think to do is to tell the truth.
“Roland, I found out I was pregnant –”
“When?” he asks furiously. “When did you find out you were pregnant with my child?”
I bite my lip while looking down.
“Soon after we were together that first time,” I say in a quiet voice. “You knew I was a virgin and that we never used any protection. There were so many times you said you were going to pull out, but you didn’t! It doesn’t take a genius to realize that I was bound to get pregnant.”