Page 32 of Whispered Sins

I checked my calendar for the day, but I had no openings for a meeting. I had one available for tomorrow, but I didn’t think I could wait that long. My curiosity was at its peak. I would have to call her. But I refused to give her the satisfaction of sounding too eager.

I found her number within an email thread, and dialed.

It rang three times before she picked up.

“Addison Heartly,” she said.

I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath.

“Hello,” I said, breathing it out slowly.

“Hello? Who is this?”

“It’s Daniel. Daniel Jacobs.”

“Oh, um, hi. I called earlier hoping to schedule a meeting.”

“I heard,” I replied with a crispness to my voice.

There was a pause on the other line.

“Well, when is your next availability?” she asked.

“I’m pretty booked up,” I commented.

“Daniel. Mr. Jacobs. Please,” she came back, sounding desperate.

Good.

“Look, anything that has to do with the donations can be handled through my foundation.”

“It’s not about that…”

“Then what is it, Ms. Heartly?”

She inhaled a shaky breath. “I’m pregnant.”

I felt like someone had punched me in the gut. I placed my elbows on the desk for support as I replayed those two words in my head. Was she saying what I thought she was saying? I couldn’t believe it. Panic began to set in.

“What are you trying to say?” I whispered.

“I think you know what I’m trying to say.”

Shit. Fuck. Shit.

“How do you know I’m the father?” I blurted out.

“Are you serious?” she asked, her voice a warning.

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s someone else’s—”

“I can’t even believe what you’re suggesting!”

“Why? I hardly know you. I don’t know what you do in your spare time.”

“I told you I’m not that kind of girl.”

“Well, you were that night with me.”

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