Page 460 of Billionaire Temptations

“Because I’m a guy, Chloe. We all think alike. You better prepare that pretty little head of yours because you ain’t seen the last of him. The only way that’s going to happen is if you tell him you’re not pregnant.”

So much for my renewed soul and peaceful mind.

“I have to go, Sam. Thanks for the little pep talk.” I gave him a thumbs-up.

“No problem, love. Have a good day.”

“Talk to you later, Chloe.” Sienna waved in the background.

As I was unpacking some new paintings that arrived, I heard a familiar voice say my name.

“Chloe.”

I stood as if I was frozen in time, unable to move. My heart began to beat rapidly, and my palms started to sweat. Staring down at the large wooden carton, I spoke, “Go away, Sebastian. It’s over.”

“We need to talk.”

“And we could have, but your time expired, and now, you don’t get to talk to me.”

“You need to listen to what I have to say, Chloe.”

I spun myself around out of anger and stared into the eyes of a man that I so deeply loved.

“You shouldn’t have left. You should have talked to me that night when you saw the pregnancy test. You should have texted me back or at least called me. I would have explained everything to you. But you didn’t. You shut me out of your life for a week. We were in a relationship. You don’t do that to someone you care about.” Tears filled my eyes.

“I was scared. I panicked, and I needed to clear my head.”

“And what about me? Didn’t you think that I would be scared? That maybe I needed you more than ever? Did you ever once stop to think about someone other than yourself?”

Suddenly, Gregory walked upstairs. “Umm. Can you two keep it down? We have customers in the gallery.”

“Sorry, Gregory.”

I went into my office, and Sebastian followed.

“I thought about you every second of every day. You are a permanent thought in my head. But, Chloe, the thought of having a baby scared the shit out of me. You know me, and you know my past. I had to question whether or not I could even be a good father. I know nothing about kids. Hell, I’ve never even held a baby before, and I’m terrified. I’ve already let you down several times, and the thought of letting my kid down sent me over the edge.”

“Well, guess what? I’m going to put your mind at ease. I’m not pregnant.” I threw my hands out to the side.

“What? What do you mean you’re not pregnant?”

“I’M. NOT. PREGNANT.”

“So you lied to me?” he spoke with seriousness.

“Lied to you? How the fuck could I lie to you when I never told you that I was pregnant!” I shouted.

“But the test was in your garbage.”

“Yes, because my mom is the one who’s having a baby. Not me, you idiot. I couldn’t wait to tell you that night, but you never gave me the chance to. From the minute you walked through the door, it was all about the deal you made, which was fine, but then you saw the test and ran out of my apartment like the coward you are. All of this could have been avoided. But you know what? I’m happy it happened this way because it was a sign. A sign that we shouldn’t have a future together.”

“Chloe, you don’t mean that.”

“Just like you didn’t mean to walk out on me, Sebastian, when you thought I was pregnant? Do you remember that day in the park when you told me that it could never work between us? Well, you were right.”

I grabbed my phone and my purse and stormed out of my office.

“Chloe!” Sebastian shouted. “I love you.”

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