Page 11 of Betrayed Alpha Bride

“I know you,” Nico says quietly. “How do I know you?”

Galen steps forward through the open doorway. I’m still standing frozen, with my hand on the knob, paralyzed like a statue frozen in time.

Just come right in, Galen.

“I know you, too,” Galen says, crouching down to look into his son’s eyes. “I’m your father.”

Nico’s eyes widen, and his face goes white. He looks up at me, shaking his head in shock.

“It’s true, Nico,” I croak, my voice stuck in my throat.

“You never told me, Mom!” Nico cries. “How could you not tell me?”

“You never asked!”

“Because from the way you talked about him, I thought he must be dead!” Nico’s eyes turn from mine to his father’s, the amber depths burning with molten gold.

“You never came for me,” Nico chokes out. “Why didn’t you come for me?”

“I didn’t know about you,” Galen says. “I swear, I would have come if I knew.”

“Why did you do this?” Nico asks me, glaring up at me.

I can’t do anything except stare back at him, my fingers trembling as I try to hold on to the door. I shake my head hopelessly, holding back tears.

“Now, now, Nico—that’s your name, right?” Galen asks.

“Yes,” Nico answers.

“Don’t blame your mom. She’s had a hard time raising you by herself, I’m sure, and she would have done what she thought best. I’m here now, and that’s all that matters.”

Nico looks up at me, then back at Galen. He sighs, and I watch the tension drain out of him.

“Okay… Dad. I can call you Dad, can’t I?”

“You sure can,” Galen answers, smiling. “Call me that as much as you want.”

“Cool!” Nico says, grinning. “Do you want to hang out and watch cartoons? There’s still some pizza left.”

“That sounds great!” Galen replies, taking his son’s hand and following him to the living room. I watch them go, then I realize I’m still standing in the hall with the door open. I slam it shut so I can go after the boys.

“What’s your favorite cartoon?” Galen asks. “How are you doing at school? Do you have any friends?”

“Slow down, Dad,” Nico laughs. “I can’t catch you up on seven years of news in one afternoon.”

“I suppose that’s true, but you could try.”

They laugh together, and I’m struck by the almost identical expressions of glee on their faces.

Was I wrong to keep Nico from his father?

But I thought I had no choice! Galen rejected me!

By the time I realized I was pregnant, I was already far from Quartz Key, and it seemed impossible to return. The only option I had was to raise my son alone.

After watching the boys talk for a while, I go into the kitchen and stand by the counter. I feel hollow. Numb, like I’m disconnected from the world.

I don’t know what to do.

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