Page 59 of Entwined
My mind screamed,Why now?Last year, all I’d wanted was to be a mother. I wanted Colson’s baby more than anything, but that dream had shattered with him. And now, I was carrying Vaughn’s child? The thought sent a fresh wave of disgust through me. I didn’t want this—didn’t want any part of Vaughn, least of all his child.
But then, something shifted. A smile tugged at my lips, almost bitter at first. This could be the ultimate revenge. To have his baby and keep it from him. He’d never have control over me, not again. If he found out, I’d fight him for custody. I had the resources. I had everything it would take to win.
But then my gaze softened as I looked out over the small garden I was building. Mystic had quickly become a refuge, a place where I could start over. The idea of raising a child here—away from the poison of New York, away from Vaughn’s reach—began to feel less like a burden and more like an opportunity.
I could buy a home here, make a life for myself and my child. I could teach them how to be kind, how to live with integrity. I could show them what it meant to be a decent human being, far from the ruthless games of power and manipulation that had consumed my life for the past two years.
As I sat there, fingers still buried in the cool soil, the weight of everything began to lift. I would not let this break me. I would raise this child in peace, on my terms. Vaughn had taken enough from me, but this? This child?
This would be mine.
Chapter 23
As the summer stretched on, a bump pushed out from my flat belly. I hid it beneath loose shirts and sundresses, but as my pregnancy progressed, it would become harder to disguise. Every morning, I woke with a quiet determination: I would keep this baby a secret from Vaughn. He’d taken enough from me. He didn’t deserve this child, not after everything he’d done.
I spent my days looking for homes around Mystic, determined to put down roots here. The small coastal town had become my sanctuary. Each time I drove by a charming cottage or a house tucked behind a grove of trees, I imagined raising my child in this quiet corner of the world, far from the chaos Vaughn thrived on.
One afternoon, I found myself standing in front of a two-story colonial with a wrap-around porch and a sprawling backyard. It had everything I wanted—privacy, space for a garden, and enough rooms to grow into. The real estate agent, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes, unlocked the front door and gestured for me to enter.
“The owners just renovated the kitchen,” she said, her voice smooth with the practiced ease of someone who’d been in the business for years. “It’s perfect for someone who loves to cook.”
I stepped inside, feeling the coolness of the hardwood floors beneath my sandals. The house smelled faintly of fresh paint and pine, and I could already see myself here—my child running through the halls, their laughter filling the space.
I turned to the agent, smiling. “I think this might be the one.”
She grinned, nodding as she handed me the papers. “Take your time to decide, but I’ll warn you—homes like this don’t stay on the market long.”
I folded the documents and tucked them into my bag, already knowing I would call her in the morning. As I stepped back out into the sunlight, I heard my phone buzz. I pulled it out to see Easton’s name flashing across the screen.
“Hey,” I answered, my voice light as I tried to steady myself.
“Joey, where are you? I stopped by the house, but you’re not there.”
“I’m out looking at some houses,” I said, trying to keep things casual. “I think I might’ve found one.”
Easton chuckled. “Already? You haven’t even been in Mystic that long.”
“I don’t want to wait,” I admitted. “I need a permanent place for me and…well, for me.”
There was a pause on the other end, and I could feel his hesitation. “You’re not planning on staying hidden forever, right? I mean, Simone’s worried about you. And Logan…”
“They don’t need to worry,” I interrupted, the edge in my voice sharper than I intended. “I’m fine. I’m where I need to be.”
Easton sighed. “All right, all right. We won’t push. Just…remember, we’re here for you.”
“I know. Thanks.” I hung up, feeling the weight of my secret press against my chest. Easton had no idea, and I planned to keep it that way. If he, Simone, or Logan knew I was pregnant, they’d try to convince me to tell Vaughn. I couldn’t risk it. They might see it as the right thing to do, but I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he had a child.
That evening, as the sun began to set, Simone and Logan arrived for dinner. Tomorrow they would head to Cape Cod and I was a pit stop for the evening. I greeted them at the door with a wide smile, draping a light cardigan over my shoulders to conceal the slight swell of my stomach. Easton had shared lunch with me and left for a trip to Rhode Island with friends.
“Joey, you look amazing,” Simone said as she stepped inside, her eyes scanning the cozy interior of the small rental. “This place suits you.”
I laughed softly. “It’s temporary, but I’m getting used to it.”
Logan followed her in, his gaze lingering on me longer than usual. He’d always been the most perceptive, and I could feel his questions bubbling just beneath the surface. “You sure you’re okay out here?” he asked, his voice filled with concern.
“I’m fine, Logan. Really,” I said, waving him off as I led them into the kitchen. “I needed this—some peace, a place to think.”
Simone took a seat at the table, her eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re not…hiding anything from us, are you?”
