Page 15 of Mercy Lake

“You’re a fucking liar. I didn’t even finish.”

“You’re old enough to know that pre-cum can impregnate a woman just as well. You’re the father, Owen. I’ve slept with no one else.”

“I want a paternity test.”

“I’m three weeks along, so it’s too early right now. But when we reach that threshold, I’ll be more than happy to oblige. Mum works at a DNA clinic a couple of hours away, so we can have this expedited while keeping it quiet.”

My scalp was screaming from my fingers ripping at my roots as I subconsciously tried to pull those new poisonous revelations straight from my skull.

What have I done?

“So when do you plan on telling Alexis?” Her words cut through my psyche like a whip. Her serpent tongue calling my wife’s name—I couldn’t take it.

“Keep your fucking mouth shut, Everly.”

“You have a week, Owen. She deserves to know.”

“Oh, sonowyou want to play all innocent. Like you’re her friend? You’re disgusting.”

Everly paused, her features morphing in fake sympathy. “I know it’s a lot to process right now, so I will give you a week.”

My eyes closed tight with defeat. “Ihatemyself,” I murmured beneath my breath.

“What?”

“I hate you,” I said louder.

“What about the baby?”

My lids opened just enough to narrow on her. “If this ismybaby, I will be a father, and I will take responsibility.” The statement was utterly devastating, ringing with finality.

The tips of Everly’s lips lifted ever so slightly. “You’ll make a great father, Owen.”

“Leave my house,” I croaked. “Now.”

One week later, my world came crashing down. Then, one month after that, when I was in the thick of my depressive spiral, we completed a paternity test, confirming I was the father.

If only I knew that the worst was yet to come.

Chapter 9

OWEN

“Well, she sounds like a downright cunt.” My father’s words had me choking on laughter.

After unloading my past turmoil on him, I felt lighter somehow.

“But Owen, why didn’t you tell us? You didn’t have to go through all of that by yourself. I hate the thought of that tyrant using you, manipulating you. Especially in the state you’ve been in.”

“I must admit, I haven’t been in my right mind since Alexis left.” I inhaled deeply. “I’ve really managed to fuck everything up, huh?”

“Yes and no.”

“In what scenario is there a no, Dad?”

“This baby.” He said it so simply as if that in itself was the answer. “I know I’m not good at this shit, son, but let me try. Yes, you have lost something dear, and we are devastated for you. But this baby is innocent.”

I sat there stunned. My father was really going to go there.

---