Page 41 of Daddy's Double Surprise

I didn’t want to feel sorry for him or even understand his perspective. I wanted to be angry with him. I wanted to justify my rage and cut him off, but deep down I knew she was right.

“I can’t look past it, Freya. He kept that secret from me. He should’ve told me.” I didn’t know if I was more hurt that he kept it a secret or that he hadn’t felt safe trusting me with it. If I had known, would I have fallen for him so hard?

“You’re having his baby, and he doesn’t know, hon. You think he’s going to react well when he finds out you kept a secret too?” She squeezed her arm around my shoulders, rocking me gently.

“You’re right, but that doesn’t make it any easier.” I sighed and sniffled. I’d cried just about all the tears I could cry now, but somehow they kept coming.

After nearly an hour of talking I left the shelter and headed home. On the cab ride, I looked through hotels and tried to find one that offered weekly rates. I didn’t want to stay in the same house as my dad. He might’ve been right about Carter and his connection to Kira, but that wasn’t the only problem I had with him. I’d never be able to sort out my feelings with him hovering over me.

Mom was home though, bustling around the kitchen to put lunch together for her friend group set to arrive any minute. When I walked in, she stopped her preparations and stood in my doorway as I found my duffel bag and started shoving things into it. I’d never be able to carry everything I needed, but this would get me a good start.

“Sunny, you don’t have to go.” Mom crossed her arms over her chest and pursed her lips in sadness.

“I do, Mom. I’m going to be in town. I’m not jetting off somewhere, but I can’t stay here. I need space from Dad and this whole situation.” I shoved a handful of panties, a few bras, and a wad of socks into the bag and returned to my dresser for more.

“Where will you go?” The worry in her tone pinched my heart, but I wasn’t giving in. I wasn’t staying here.

“I think a hotel…I’m not sure.” I hadn’t really found a good place that was affordable. If I dipped into my savings too much, I wouldn’t be able to afford all the deposits for an apartment, and I’d end up coming to Dad to borrow money, which I hated the idea of.

“Then stay in Malibu, honey.” She sucked in a breath and sighed.

“I can’t. Dad will know.” I didn’t want to take another handout from them. I didn’t want anything tethering me to my father’s assumption I was unable to provide for myself.

“I won’t tell him a thing. And you can pay rent if you want.” The doorbell rang and Mom’s gaze flicked over her shoulder. “I’ll leave the key on the bar, okay? Just think about it.”

I watched her walk away as I put a few T-shirts into the bag. It was a kind offer considering. Mom probably felt guilty over everything, and I could really use the help. Staying at the Malibu house would give me the space I needed from Dad but the safety net of somewhere I knew and felt comfortable. And my gut told me after what already happened, the way Mom told Dad about the baby, she’d be keeping this secret for me.

I had too much to think about and try to process. It was a smart choice. So I finished packing, took the key, ordered an Uber and headed to Malibu. A few days in hiding would hopefully give my heart time to unwind and process what I was going through. If not, maybe Tampa was a better option—putting distance between me and the past.

28

CARTER

Sunny stormed off in a huff just as my phone started to ring. I walked after her, desperate to make her stop and listen to me, and Jackson stepped out of an exam room and shut the door behind himself, planting one of his hands in my chest.

“Hold on man, what the heck?” He glanced at the door and then turned back to me. “Everyone in this place heard you two screaming at each other. What’s wrong?”

I pushed him off me and walked to the door, but Sunny was gone, not a trace of her in sight. “Dammit!” I growled, spinning back around. The phone in my pocket ringing only made me angrier. I yanked it out to see it was Joseph and swiped to answer: “What?”

“Woah, Carter, I just called with an update.”

His patronizing tone reminded me that I was out of control enough to be set off. “I don’t want an update. I want things fixed. Do you hear me? Done. No more updates.”

Jackson pushed me into exam room three and shut the door as I continued to shout profanities at Joseph. I felt like my world was spinning out of control and someone needed to stop it. The anger came out of me so suddenly, I couldn’t containthe explosion. Years of fear and insecurity overwhelmed me as I lashed out.

“And don’t think you’re getting away with this. People could die. Kira Baker’s death is on your hands, Joesph. If you don’t get things straightened out, you’re fired.” I was set to continue spewing threats, but Jackson took my phone and said something into it softly then hung up.

“You’re out of control, Carter. You need to calm down.” His hand, still pressed into my chest, felt like a thorn. I pushed it away and snatched my phone, dialing Sunny’s number.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m fine,” I snapped at him. The call went to voicemail, so I called again instantly. Three times, then four, each time it went to voicemail until it stopped ringing through at all. She’d shut her phone off or lost service, but it was safe to say she’d never pick up even if I kept trying.

“What happened?” Jackson asked me. He stood between me and the exit, making me feel trapped in this tiny room with him. I did the only thing I could think of—pacing the far wall and holding back another outburst.

“Rick told her, Jacks. He told Sunny about GenOne. He told her I’m the owner, and now she blames me for her friend’s death.” Raking a hand through my hair I kept pacing. I couldn’t stand still. It felt like my whole world was falling apart. She just rushed out without letting me explain anything, and I would have. I’d have told her every detail, how my heart and morals always put me at odds with my father. How I refused to be a part of his company until he left it to me in the will. How I’d have sold the entire thing if not for the fact that the profits cared for all these sick people.

“She probably needs time to cool off. She’ll call you. Just give her some space.” His words sounded good, but I didn’t believe him. Sunny was devastated. She rushed out of here like I’d takenher heart and stomped on it, and in a way I had. I’d broken her more than even her best friend’s death had.

“You don’t get it.” I stopped and glared at him. I could feel the heat in my cheeks, the pressure behind my eyes. I was working on a heart attack if I didn’t calm down. “Her friend died because of the drug GenOne makes, Jackson. She blames me for that. She’ll never come around. She doesn’t even know the facts, and I can’t talk to her to tell her.”

---