Page 188 of Triplet Trouble For My Billionaire Boss

I don’t speak right away.

I take a breath. Settle myself.

Then, finally, I tell her.

“When Robin died, Alan… didn’t handle it well.” I exhale slowly, staring at the ultrasound. “Robin’s mother died years before I met her, so it was just the two of them for a long time. She was his everything. Losing her broke him.”

Annie doesn’t say anything, but I see the way she shifts slightly, hugging the pillow a little tighter.

“At first, I tried to be understanding. He was grieving. We all were. But then… he started drinking.” My jaw tightens. “A lot.”

Annie’s eyes flick toward me briefly, but she doesn’t interrupt.

I lean forward, resting my forearms on my knees. “I wanted him to be in Robbie’s life. I tried.” I shake my head. “Butthen… there was the incident.”

Annie tilts her head slightly. “What incident?”

I let out a humorless breath. “One night, Alan was supposed to be watching Robbie for a couple of hours. When I got there…” I swallow hard, shaking my head. “He was drunk. Passed out. And Robbie—he was only six months old—was just lying there, alone, in the living room, crying.”

Annie’s breath catches, her grip on the pillow tightening.

I look at her then, meeting her gaze head-on. “I don’t know how long. But when I think about what could’ve happened.” I shake my head. “That was it for me. I told him I didn’t want him around Robbie until he got his life together. Until he was sober.”

She doesn’t say anything, but I can see the questions forming in her mind. The battle between understanding and anger.

I sigh, running a hand over my jaw. “Alan never reached out after that. At first, I waited. Hoped he’d call. Show up. Tell me he was getting help. I even offered to pay—whatever it took. But he didn’t. He just… disappeared.”

The room is quiet.

Then, finally, Annie speaks.

“And today?” Her voice is soft. Careful.

I let out a slow breath. “He showed up to tell me he’s been sober for a year.”

Annie blinks. “A year?”

I nod. “To the day. He got a steady job. Got himself an apartment in a safe part of town. And he…” I hesitate, my throat tight. “He wants another chance.”

Annie studies me carefully. “And what do you want?”

I drag a hand through my hair. “I don’t know. Finding Robbie laying there, crying, hungry, full diaper, while Alan was passed out in a chair. I don’t—I mean, that’s not something you forget.”

She watches me for a long moment, then nods slowly.

I shift slightly, resting my forearms on my knees. “That’s why I wasn’t there today, Annie. Not because I didn’t want to be. But because I couldn’t turn him away. He’s Robin’s dad. Robbie’s grandfather.”

Annie exhales, her shoulders lowering slightly.

I watch her carefully.

She’s still upset. Still hurt.

But maybe—just maybe—she understands now.

And for now, that’s enough.

Chapter Forty Six

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