Page 17 of Anteros' Return

“Kids?!” Her mouth dropped open as she briefly looked back at me.

“Mhm, I want a whole football team.” I wrapped my arms around her waist from behind. I couldn’t hide my grin.

“I can hear you smiling.” She jabbed my ribs with her elbow, but I only tightened my hold on her.

“What, you wouldn’t want a whole football team with me?” I chuckled.

“I would. I want a whole life with you,”she murmured as she spun around to face me, her eyes shining with adoration. Something I only saw when she was looking at me.

“Then I plan to build that life for you.” Craning my neck, I kissed the tip of her nose. “I plan to create our family in that house.”

Present day…

I knew this was wrong. I knew I shouldn’t have been in the football club’s office with the tablet in my hand. I knew it, but I had no other choice. I needed something solid to go off of. Something I knew she wouldn’t be able to deny.

I found Liam’s registration details on the tablet. My finger trembled over his name:Liam Ryton.

Fuck it.

I clicked the screen, and there it was—his information.

Name: Liam George Ryton

Age: Seven years old

Date of birth: 22nd April 2017

Mother: Emily Elizabeth Ryton

Address: 1 Ullswater Hill

Team: Richmond Sharks U8s

Coach: Daniel James Hanson

I must have reread his birthday a thousand times. Going over the dates one hundred times in my head.

“What are you doing on the tablet, Beckett?” Daniel appeared at the door, startling me.

“Did you know?” I asked.

“Know what?” His brows furrowed in confusion.

“Nothing. I need to go.” My voice shook, and then, like a punch to the gut, it hit me.

Liam was my son.

The revelation crashed into me like a tidal wave. The sheer force of it left me unable to move, unable to breathe, unable to comprehend the weight of my thoughts.

I grabbed my crutches and hobbled as fast as I could to leave the office as the walls felt as though they were closing in on me, making it hard to breathe.

“Where are you going?” He gripped my arm, trying to stop me as if he already knew.

“To get the answers I need.” I snatched my arm away, not even bothering to call a taxi. I couldn’t wait any fucking longer.

I wanted answers, and I intended to get them.

Knocking on the door for a second time today, I let out a steady breath, trying to calm myself down before Emily answered.

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