Page 355 of Billionaire Temptations

“It’s like I don’t even know you, Anna. You won’t even consider it a possibility?”

“No, because I’m not going to lie to you. I’m being honest, Wes. I’m being real and raw here.”

“Relationships are based on compromise. I’ve compromised a lot with you on all sorts of things, and now you won’t even extend me the courtesy of considering having a family?”

“No. I won’t. There’s nothing to consider. I don’t want kids.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way. Maybe this isn’t going to work out after all,” he somberly spoke as he held out his hand.

I couldn’t believe this was happening as my body shook from head to toe, and my heart was pounding out of my chest. I removed the ring from my finger and placed it in his hand.

“Don’t do this, Wes,” I spoke as numerous tears fell down my face.

“I’m sorry, Anna. You and I want two totally different things, and if we can’t see eye to eye on this, then there’s no point in moving forward.” His eyes swelled with tears. “I’m leaving. I’ll give you a couple of hours to gather your things and move out. If you need more time than that, let me know.”

He walked away and pushed the button to the elevator. I ran to him and grabbed his arm.

“Don’t,” I cried. “Please.”

He jerked his arm out of my grip and stepped into the elevator. The doors shut, and I fell to my knees and pounded on them as I screamed his name. I gathered myself from the floor, shaking and crying like my life had just been ripped away from me. I walked up the stairs, grabbed my suitcase from the closet, and threw some of my clothes into it. I went into the bathroom, gathered my makeup and toiletries, and threw them in a duffle bag. Grabbing my phone, I texted Franco.

“Are you home?”

“I just walked in. Why?”

“I need to talk to you. I’m on my way over.”

“Okay. I’ll be here. Everything okay?”

I didn’t respond and tossed my phone in my purse. I grabbed the duffle bag and my suitcase and headed out of the penthouse. I arrived at Franco’s apartment and lightly knocked on the door. I didn’t feel like digging out my key.

“Why didn’t you—Anna, what happened?” he asked as he looked down and saw my suitcase.

I broke down, and my bottom lip started to quiver.

“Wes left me.”

“What? Get in here.”

He pulled me into his apartment and then grabbed my suitcase. He placed his hands on my shoulders and led me over to the couch.

“What happened? Why would he leave you?”

“He wants kids, and I don’t. We got into a huge fight about it, and he said if I didn’t want them, then there was no use in moving forward.” I cried on his shoulder.

“Shit. It’s okay.” He held me. “Everything is going to be okay.”

Chapter Thirty-One

Wes

I took a cab to the heart of Hell’s Kitchen and entered a bar called Pocket Bar. After planting myself on a stool, the bartender walked over to me.

“What can I get you, man?”

“Scotch on the rocks and keep them coming.”

“Sure thing,” he said as he tapped his knuckles on the counter.

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