Page 187 of Triplet Trouble For My Billionaire Boss

I want to be there for Annie, for these babies, the same way I should have been today.

But I wasn’t.

I let her down.

And now she’s locked herself in her room, probably thinking I don’t care. That I don’t want this.

That I’m going back to the same man I was when we met.

That couldn’t be further from the truth.

I stand up, exhaling slowly, and head upstairs. I pause in front of her door, pressing my palm against the wood for half a second before I knock gently.

Silence.

I knock again, firmer this time. “Annie.”

Nothing.

I sigh and rest my forehead against the door for a moment before speaking again. “I know you’re mad. You have every right to be. But please, just… just let meexplain.”

Still nothing.

I swallow hard and press forward anyway. “I wanted to be there today more than anything.” My voice is quieter now, almost hesitant. “I wasn’t working, Annie. I didn’t get caught up in some meeting or conference call.”

The silence from the other side of the door stretches longer, but I know she’s listening.

She has to be.

I shift my weight, running a hand through my hair. “Just as I was leaving for the appointment, I got a visit.”

Still no response.

I close my eyes briefly before saying the name that I know will get her attention. “It was Robin’s dad. Alan.”

Silence.

But not the kind that means she’s ignoring me. This time, I know she’s listening. I can feel it.

So I keep going.

“I haven’t seen him in over four years,” I say, my voice steady. “Not since a few months after Robin died.” I exhale sharply. “I couldn’t just turn him away.”

I glance down at the ultrasound still in my hand, my grip tightening on it. “Annie, please.”

More silence.

Then, just when I’m about to give up and walk away, the door opens.

Anniedoesn’t look at me as she turns and walks back inside. She leaves the door open—a silent invitation.

I take it.

I step inside and quietly close the door behind me.

She sits on the bed, pulling a pillow into her lap, fingers gripping the fabric like she needs something to hold onto.

I hesitate for half a second before moving to sit on the window seat across from her.

---