Page 43 of Plus-Size Pregnant Mate

My father shook his head. "It wouldn't have lasted. It was young love, and eventually, it was going to die."

"You don't know that!" I yelled. "You guys never gave him a chance! Why? Why couldn't you just like him!"

My father growled. “Because! Look at your mother, Ashley! How would he have handled it if you became sick? How would he be able to afford the medical bills if you were ill?” My father shook his head. "When your mother got sick, she made me promise that you would be with someone that could handle everything, someone that could afford the expensive things in life, someone that could afford large medical bills.

My shoulders sank, and I felt tears bloom.

"You don't like Owen because he didn’t have money??"

Before my father could answer, a car pulled up, and I looked out and realized it was Logan. My eyes widened in fear, and I looked back at my father.

"Dad, please. If you gave him a chance, you would find he is amazing. He loves me. He takes care of me. If anyone could love me and take care of me when I’m sick it’s him. And I'm happy. He makes me happy. Isn't that what you wanted? Me happy?"

My father looked hurt. He looked outside the window and then back at me. "Ashley, I can't do anything. I've made the deal."

"Break it," I plead. Please, Dad, for me. If you do this, you're going to regret it. I’m pregn.." Before I could get the words out there was a soft knock on my door. I prayed he would pull the car out and pick me.

"I can't," he said. "I already took half of the money. We need it….your mother is sick again."

My eyes widened in shock as the window rolled down.

"Ashley, why don't you come get in my car."

I stared at my father, feeling I no longer knew who he was. I took a slow, deep breath in. "You know Ayden will never allow this. You are in for a world of pain when he finds out."

"He doesn't know," Logan said, leaning onto the window. "And by the time he hears, it will be too late. He can't do anything once we've been married."

I swallowed, placing my hands on my stomach. I didn't want to go, but I didn't want to be moved by force. The last thing I wanted was something happening to the baby.

I grabbed the handle and pulled the door open. Logan slammed it shut, tossing a paper onto my seat.

"Here is the wire transfer. Now get out of here before someone sees us together."

My father looked at me, and I had to look away. I suddenly pictured the man who held my hand when I was crying—the man who always told me I would find love and he’d always be there for me—all the lies that I'd believed.

Logan placed a hand on my shoulder, turning me towards his vehicle. "Let's go, we have a bit of a ride before we get to your new home."

I'd dealt with worse. I could do this. Owen would come looking for me. He did every other time. He would find me. Wouldn't he?

Chapter 22 - Owen

I frowned, suddenly feeling something was off. Ashley had only been gone for a few minutes, but my stomach twisted as if something was wrong.

I decided to give her a call and then heard her phone ringing. I turned, walking over towards the couch, finding it sitting there. It went to voicemail, and I hung it up, stuffing my phone into my back pocket.

I grabbed my keys and hurried down towards the exit. I took the stairs two at a time, suddenly feeling panic rushing through me. I knew deep in my bones something was wrong. Even my dragon was uncomfortable.

Outside, I found the space empty. There was no Ashley, and I didn't even feel a connection towards her. I tried reaching out, but there was radio silence. She'd either blocked me from her mind or was out of distance.

Panic set in. I couldn't call her because her phone was upstairs, and she didn't have a car, so it wasn't like she took off.

Where would she have gone without her phone? She wouldn't have actually left without it, right?

I ran a hand through my hair, looking down the street, hoping to spot her coming back from walking around the block, but she didn't. There was nothing but cars driving by.

I knew something was wrong. I pulled out my phone and quickly called up Ayden. It only rang once before he answered.

"Hello?"

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