Page 3 of Plus-Size Pregnant Mate

Her eyes widened as she spotted me, and I felt my stomach sink slightly for a different reason. There was no love in her eyes, nothing but pure anger and hurt.

I expected it since we hadn't spoken or seen each other since the breakup. She had said that she never wanted to see me again, and I had promised to keep that. But I couldn't anymore, not when I knew about the marriage with Logan.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, quickly scanning the place and finding it empty. I made sure of it. I didn't need anyone to witness what was going to happen.

"I'm here to talk to you," I said, placing my phone on the table and interlocking my fingers.

Her lips curled slightly, and her fingers curled into fists. She then turned, and I knew her next step was going to be leaving. I had already predicted it.

So, Lucas stepped in the way, and she froze. I could see her arms dropping before she turned, looking back at me.

I didn't have a lot of time, so I had to get to the point quickly. I pulled myself up and cleared my throat. "This isn't how I wanted this to happen."

I can see the panic starting to set in. Her eyes are scanning the space, trying to find a way out. It was the same way she used to when I took her somewhere with too many people.

I had no choice. I was perfectly fine just standing on the side and letting her live out her life how she wanted, but when I caught wind of the marriage proposal, it changed everything, especially considering who she was supposed to be marrying.

"I heard about the wedding," I said, stuffing my hands into my pocket.

Her eyes snapped to me, and she frowned. "What?"

"Through the grapevine," I said, waving a hand. "A friend of a friend…"

I watched her swallow as she crossed her arms. She thought to herself for a moment before she smirked at me. "Jealous?"

I knew she was trying to be a smartass, trying to get a rise out of me, and it might have if I hadn't seen the pure terror in her eyes. Ashley had always been good at putting up a mask and reacting the way people wanted her to, but after years of being with her, I knew what sat underneath.

Ashley was terrified but didn't go against her parents, even when she should. The only time she ever did was when she refused to dump me when they first found out about us. And her parents constantly expressed their unhappiness about it every chance they got.

"I know you're in trouble."

She tilted her head as she looked at me. Her eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm fine. And I don't want your pity. Really, I'd rather you just stay as far away from me as possible."

I wished I could, but I couldn't. I knew this wasn't what Ashley wanted. This was her folks doing. They had tried pulling this stunt all those years ago when we had been dating. But to marry her to Logan? Were they insane?

Everyone knew why he was single again. The rumors around town were rather hard to miss, and if you attended the latest funeral, you saw the marks on his wife’s neck.

Logan had a kink for beating his wives when they didn't give him what he wanted. Logan had no children but often expressed his desire for a son. It wasn't hard to connect the dots. And since he was alpha, he got away with a lot. But the thought of Logan wrapping his fingers around Ashley's neck put him on edge. He wanted to kill the man just for that thought alone.

It was a smart move. Ashley came from a high-class family that was loaded. She had manners and respect. It was why I had been so drawn to her all those years ago. It was a smart move on Logan's part but a shitty one for Ashley's folks.

I didn't know why they were marrying her off, but I wasn't going to wait and find out. Ashley needed someone, and while she might hate my guts, I’m not going to watch it all fall apart.

"You can keep up the act, but you and I both know you're wasting our time, which we don't have much of because he is still planning to come here."

Ashley looked down at her phone and then chewed on her cheek. "Why isn't he here?"

I smirked because I couldn't help it. "Flat tire. Something simple to keep him busy."

She looked back at me, and I pulled out a chair. She glared, refusing to sit. I sighed, taking a few more steps towards her. She took one back.

I took a deep breath in and sighed. "You need my help, Ashley. As much as you don't want it, I'm here."

I watched her jaw tighten, and she frowned. "No, I don't."

"What was your plan then?" I asked.

She didn't answer, which told me she didn't have one. I couldn't blame her. Ashley was never the planner. She just rolled with whatever was going on. She accepted her fate.

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