She frowned. “No, I know I made a mistake by sending Steve to the apartment that day. I made a mistake by telling him about the child. Whether I think he had a right to know or not, that wasn’t my place.”
“I guess I’m not sure how your apology makes any sense, if you truly believe I should be with him no matter what. If that’s your stance, why apologize?”
“Because you fell. You almost lost the baby because Steve was so emotional. I’m sorry I said anythingbecauseyou could have lost the child.”
“So, if I hadn’t fallen down the stairs and almost lost the baby, you’d see nothing wrong with what you did?”
Her face twitched.
I studied her, taking in her flushed cheeks and the obstinate tilt of her mouth. “You know, I have a right to be happy.”
Her gaze flickered. “Did I say you didn’t?”
“Yes. By insisting I should have stayed with an alpha who cheated on me and treated me poorly.”
She sighed. “Tanner, alphas aren’t always perfect. Sometimes they make mistakes—”
“He didn’t just cheat on me once,” I snapped. “I told you before he’d cheated multiple times.”
Uncertainty fluttered through her eyes. “Still, he came back to you.”
I raked a hand through my hair, feeling frustrated. “And you think that makes it all better? You saw how he abandoned me here. He took my car and ran off with Tony. That was publicly humiliating for me. Do you really think I should just forgive and forget because I happen to be pregnant with hiskid?”
“Well, the child has to be considered,” she said softly.
“What about me? Don’t my feelings have to be considered too? He promised he’d never betray me again, but he did. You really think I should just suck it up because I’m pregnant? I should go back to an alpha I can’t trust because you and society think that’s best?” I couldn’t keep the anger out of my voice.
She winced. “I’m just thinking of what’s best for the baby. It’s always optimum for the biological fathers to raise the child together.”
“Even if one of them is a cheating, hot-headed, immature jerk?”
“Well… perhaps with his omega’s calm guidance, he could change.”
I laughed harshly. “I tried to help him change. I gave it my all, Mrs. Rodwell. But I’m tired. I’m exhausted from trying. And I finally came to the conclusion that it’s not my responsibility to make Steve a better man. That’s on him.”
“Well, I… I agree he has to want to change.”
“Yeah, and he obviously doesn’t. I’ve given him all the chances I have left in me. I just want to be happy like anyone else.” I swallowed hard. “Rex makes me happy and I make him happy. What is so awful about that? Why wouldn’t I want to be with Rex instead of Steve? I deserve some joy in my life. Rex will be a fantastic father to this baby.”
“I don’t doubt that for one second.” Her expression softened. “Rex is an amazing alpha.”
“But I’m not worthy of him?” My stomach churned. “I’m somehow tainted now because my ex-alpha cheated on me and abused my trust enough that I gave up trying. So now I’m less than.”
Guilt shifted over her tense features. “I think you’re a wonderful person, Tanner. I’m not saying you’re less than.”
“But you are.” My voice broke and I turned away from her. There was a lump in my throat that made speaking difficult, but I figured I might never have this frank of a conversation with her again. I needed to say all I had to say. I faced her once more and forced myself to say, “I love Rex.”
Her eyes widened in surprise.
“He… he isn’t just a meal ticket to me. I love him. I respect him. I… I need him.” I cleared my throat. “And I’m here to stay. I’m not giving him up because you think I should. Rex makes me happy. We’re going to raise this child and many more together. I’m claiming my joy. I’m staying with Rex. You can either be a part of our happiness, or you can be on the outside of it, Mrs. Rodwell.”
I left the shed then. I didn’t see the point of going around in circles with her. She’d made her feelings clear. It would be awkward having her disapproval, but I’d been through worse things. I wasn’t giving up the alpha I loved because of the old fashioned ideas of others.
So long as Rex wanted me, I wasn’t going anywhere.
Chapter Twenty-Two
After my run-in with Mrs. Rodwell, her words spun in my head most of the night. It was hard not having Rex home to bounce things off of. I craved his touch and comforting presence. I hadn’t even realized how much I’d become accustomed to leaning on him, until he wasn’t there.