Page 75 of Her Ex's Father
“Okay. Yeah, I can see how that’s… not great. But did it really feel like he was running away? From you? And the baby?”
Curling my knees up to my chest as far as I can with the bump in the way, I consider the question. Recall Ben on his knees, his lips on my fingers.
“No…” I say softly. “It didn’t feel like running away. I think hemeantit when he said he just wants me to have a future outside of the marriage?—”
“Wow, a guy who actuallyvaluesyou?Run.”
Again, the sarcasm, but this time I roll my eyes. “I wish he’d realized what I needed, though, you know?”
“Okay, so it was a miscommunication. You guys haven’t been married that long Maddie, and you didn’t have any time to get to know one another before the wedding. Right? I know this mustbe scary,” her voice softens, “and not at all what you planned. But every call, every text you’ve sent me, you sound genuinelyhappy.Excited. Are you sure this isn’t about Derrick?”
“What?” I ask, the idea immediately absurd.
“Are you sure you’re not still freaked out about what he might find—Jack—and anticipating the fallout?”
It clicks.
Oh.
“I… I think, yeah, that might be part of it.”
“So, you’re scared. And Ben is scared too, for his own reasons, that I think he’s been up front with you about. Hetoldyou that he wasn’t expecting a child this late in life, Maddie, but he didn’t say he doesn’t want the baby—or you. If anything, it sounds like he’s doing whatever he can to make sure you’re both provided for. And that you have some meaning outside of just being his wife, or a mom.”
I feel foolish, immature, and oblivious—because Stella’s right.
How have I been overlooking all those signs? 34
I groan, dropping my face to my knees, mind racing to try and figure out how to make this right.
“I do think,” Stella continues gently, “that you need to talk to him about Georgiana. You know the rumors aren’t true, but maybe he needs to hear that—you just have to have it out, you know? So, he knows you’re on his side, that you have his back, that you believe in him. The same way he believes in you, Mads.”
Her certainty steadies me, even as unease coils tighter inside.
There’s a rustle on the other end, then Stella’s voice shifts, lighter. “I have news too.”
“Oh?”
“I met someone.”
The warmth in her tone makes me smile despite myself. “Already? And you didn’t tell me?”
“Well, it’s complicated.” A beat. “She’s… amazing.”
“She.” My eyes widen. “Stella?—”
“Yeah.” She laughs nervously. “Surprise. I didn’t exactly plan to fall for a woman, but here we are. And it feels real. Like, terrifyingly real.”
I press a hand to my chest, touched. “Stell, that’s… that’s wonderful.”
“I haven’t told Mom and Dad yet,” she admits quickly. “They’re still oblivious. And maybe they’ll freak, maybe they won’t, but right now I just want to hold it close, you know?”
“Of course.” My heart swells. “I’m so happy for you. Truly.”
Her laugh softens. “Funny thing is, I’m giving you advice to just talk to Ben, and I’m hiding my entire love life from our parents.”
“You’ll tell them when you’re ready.”
“Exactly.” A pause. “And you’ll talk to Ben, right?”
