Page 48 of Forbidden Desires

I stare at the gifts, a lump forming in my throat. I don’t know how to respond, so I don’t. Instead, I mumble a quiet, “Thank you,” and let my hands fall into my lap.

“Suzie, we need to talk,” Pete says, and he has that no-nonsense voice on.

But I don’t have it in me to do ‘the talk’ now. The one where they tell me that they will help me, look after me and the baby, but they’re not interested in me anymore. Or even worse, that they’re not interested in being fathers. “Can we not? I’m tired and in pain.”

He nods in response, but from the set of his mouth, I know I’ve only bought myself a little time.

I let the two of them fuss over me for a few minutes, and even though I know it should feel nice, it doesn’t.

Glancing at the clock, I make my decision, knowing I need some space. A lot has happened in a short time, and I’m feeling overwhelmed and overemotional. The pregnancy hormones are not helping. “The doctor says I’m staying overnight for observations. You two should get back to your hotel.”

Pete frowns. “We’re not leaving?—”

The nurse chooses that moment to step into the room, smiling apologetically at us. “Visiting hours are over now. I’ll have to ask you both to head out, please.”

They hesitate, but eventually, Pete nods, standing from his chair. Dexter follows suit, casting one last glance at the balloons and bear before they both turn to leave.

“Get some rest. Then we can talk tomorrow,” Pete says softly.

The door closes behind them, and the quiet of the room settles over me like a heavy blanket. I lie back against the pillow, staring up at the ceiling as tears slide silently down my cheeks.

I’ve cried more these past few weeks than I have in my entire life.

And from the feel of my broken heart in my chest, I doubt I’ll be done anytime soon.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Suzie

I wake up to the soft beeping of the heart monitor and the sterile scent of the hospital room. My eyes feel heavy, my headaches, and my chest... is empty. I shift under the blanket, one hand immediately flying to my stomach.

The baby.

The memories flood back in a rush—the fall, the hospital, Pete and Dexter finding out about the baby. Me telling them to go. Them actually leaving. My throat tightens, and I have to blink rapidly to hold back the tears threatening to spill.Realistically, I know they couldn’t stay, but I still feel alone.

The door creaks open, and the nurse from yesterday steps in, smiling kindly. "Good morning, Miss Suzie. How are you feeling today?"

I force a weak smile. "I'm okay, I guess. I didn't sleep much."

She nods, her expression soft with understanding. "That's perfectly normal after everything. Plus, no one ever gets anyrealrest in a hospital. Good news is, your baby is still doing good. The last scans were all clear, and your vitals are holding steady."

I breathe out a shaky sigh of relief, clutching the blanket tighter. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, sweetheart. The doctor will be in soon, and once he gives the all clear, you'll be able to go home. Just take it easy for a while, will you?"

Home.

The word feels hollow.

I nod absently at the nurse's request, watching as she checks the monitors and scribbles a note on my chart before leaving me alone again.

I must doze off, because I'm woken by the room door opening again, causing my heart to jump from my chest. Pete and Dexter step in, both looking about as tired as I feel, but still ridiculously handsome for it.

And to top it all off, Pete has a large thermos with him, while Dexter has a bag that smells suspiciously like fresh pastries. A godsend after the hospital food the previous night.

"Good morning, Suzie," Pete says softly, his gaze searching my face.

I murmur a quiet "Morning," my eyes darting away from them.

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