Page 134 of Dad's Best Friend's Secret Baby

I know you, Evie… and I know when you're lying. This has everything to do with Ethan and little to do with Sophie.

After I left the motel that night, I hailed a cab back to the mansion, distorted.

I headed straight for my room, ignoring the thought of going to check on Ethan. My knees gave way the moment I reached my bed. I was exhausted… drained.

The following morning, the mess in the kitchen from the fight had already been cleaned up.

Virginia had cleaned it, and she asked questions.

“What happened here?”

I was surprised that she or Joseph didn't hear anything. Somewhere between the fight, I'd half expected them to come rushing in.

“It was a little misunderstanding,” I had replied. “You didn't hear?”

She shook her head. “There are soundproof systems in place in this mansion. The doors, among many other systems, are soundproof.”

That explained it…

Inhaling a deep breath, I dragged my mind back to important issues.

I knew it was family first before anything else but I couldn’t bring myself to leave Sophie.

You have no right to mention her name. She would be so ashamed of you.

Digging my nails into my palm, I tried to halt the memories of that night.

I failed.

His look of disappointment knifed through my mind. I could never forget it. I could never forget my twenty-second birthday.

Every day I called Dad; every morning I hoped. But in the end, I was met with disappointment.

Dad never answered my calls.

I rose in the morning with sadness, and I returned to bed in tears.

Taking a flight to Minnesota wasn’t a step I could take now.

It hurt to admit, but Dad needed space. He needed space from me.

It took great strength to function under the atmosphere of melancholy, but I did.

Because Dad didn’t raise a loser.

I didn’t know how long I stayed, wrapped in my feelings, but I regained focus just in time to see that Mr. Charles’ arrival was near.

I picked up the iPad, holding the sleek figure in my palm as I walked out.

My feet carried me fast out of my office and down the elevator.

My waiting time was short because Mr. Charles arrived shortly after I got there.

“Good morning, sir.” I nodded at the young man.

Tousled golden brown hair, blue eyes, and handsome, he seemed to be the same age as Ethan.

“I’ll lead you to the conference room now.”

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