Page 94 of Claimed by my Bestie's Dad

“No! No, no, no! This can’t be happening! What kind of madhouse are you running here, Dad? You came here to tell me my best friend is going to be my stepmom, and I get a half-sibling out of the mix? This is wrong!”

Ethan steps toward her, letting go of my hand. “Aurora, I know this is a lot?—”

“No! You don’t know anything!” she screams, backing away from him as if she can’t bear to be near us. “I don’t want to hear it! I don’t want to hear anything you have to say!”

I feel a tear slip down my cheek, and I quickly wipe it away, trying to hold myself together. But the pain in Aurora’s voice cuts deep, and I can’t stop the flood of emotions that come with it.

“Aurora, please. This wasn’t on purpose. Things just?—”

Her eyes are burning into me like twin fires. “You ruined everything! I never want to see you again!”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I feel my chest tighten with the weight of her rejection. Tears spill freely down my face now, and I can’t stop them. It doesn’t matter anymore.

Aurora storms toward the door. Ethan moves after her, calling her name, but she’s already out the door before he can catch up to her.

The door slams shut, and the sound echoes through the now-silent house. I sit there with tears on my cheeks.

Aurora is gone. And she never wants to see me again.

I’m the one who has done this. I had to choose between her and Ethan, and I chose Ethan. What if that was the wrong choice?

45

ETHAN

Madison is cryingin my arms, her whole body trembling against mine. The sound of her sobs fills the room, tearing at my insides. I tighten my hold on her, wishing there was something I could do to take her pain away. But no matter what I say, no matter how many times I whisper, “It’s going to be okay,” it doesn’t seem to reach her.

“I’m so sorry.”

“Hey, you don’t have to apologize.” My hand strokes her hair gently, but I can feel the stiffness in her body as though she’s trying to distance herself from me.

She doesn’t respond. She doesn’t stop crying either, and I feel this creeping frustration building inside me. I know she’s hurting, but why does Aurora’s opinion matter this much? I mean, I get it—it was hard for her to hear, but she’ll come around. She’s my daughter. Madison shouldn’t be blaming herself like this.

“Madison, look at me.” I pull back enough to see her tear-streaked face. Her eyes are red, and it kills me to see her like this. “This isn’t your fault. Aurora’s just upset right now.She’ll cool down and come back. We just need to give her some time. You know how she is.”

Madison sniffles, shaking her head as she wipes at her face. “You don’t get it, Ethan. She hates me. She doesn’t want to see me ever again. I ruined everything… she has been my best friend. And now the others will listen to her and…”

I let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through my hair. “You didn’t ruin anything. Aurora’s just shocked. It’s a lot for her to process. She’s acting like a kid, but she’ll get over it.”

Madison pulls away from me. She starts pacing back and forth across the room. “How can you be so calm about this? That’s your daughter, Ethan! She just stormed out, and you’re acting like it’s no big deal!”

Her words sting. I’m trying to be rational here and keep things in perspective, but it seems like no matter what I say, it’s not enough. “Of course, I care that she’s upset, but she always overreacts. She’ll come back once she’s had time to cool off.”

Madison shakes her head again, her face crumpling as fresh tears spill down her cheeks. “You don’t understand. It’s not just about her ‘cooling off.’ Aurora’s not like that. When she’s angry, she holds onto it. She doesn’t forgive easily. I mean, she still remembers the time in fifth grade when I was so jealous of her eraser collection that I stole one. She was mad about that for a long time. And that was aneraser.”

“So, are you going to let her ruin everything between us? Just because she’s mad now doesn’t mean we’re doomed.”

Madison looks at me like I’ve just said the most insensitive thing in the world. “Ethan, I care about her opinion! It’s not just about you and me. You have a daughter, and I don’t want to be the reason she feels hurt or betrayed. You should care about what she thinks.”

Her words hit a nerve, and suddenly, I’m on the defensive. “Of course I care what she thinks! But I’m not going to let her dictate how I live my life or who I’m with. You’re important to me too, Madison. Youandthis baby. I’m not going to let anyone, even Aurora, stand in the way of that.”

Madison flinches at the intensity in my voice, and I instantly regret the way I said it. Why is this turning into a battle about who cares more? I’m doing everything I can to make sure Madison knows she’s not alone in this. Why isn’t that enough?

She stops her pacing and looks at me, her eyes still red from crying. “You’ve had your whole life with Aurora. You’re her dad. No matter what, she’ll always love you. But me? I’m more expendable.”

I get up too, needing to be on my feet. “That’s not true, and you know it. We’re building something together here, and I’m not going to let one argument with Aurora blow it all up. Let’s focus on the positive of this situation.”

Madison looks away, her shoulders hunched like she’s trying to make herself smaller. “I’m scared, Ethan. I’m scared she’ll never accept me. And if she stays angry and refuses to talk to you, you’ll be forced to choose. And I won’t be your first choice.”

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