Page 136 of The Accidental Wife

Cole

“Hi,”I frown while I look at Derrick standing in the doorway. “Can we talk?” He requests. I nod and gesture for him to come in, and he does, closing the door behind him.

“What are you doing here?” I question puzzled, leaning against the wall and watch as he paces the small room rubbing the back of his neck, seemingly troubled.

“Tristan, I should have done this a long time ago. I don’t know what the fuck I was thinking keeping it from everyone this whole time.” I straighten from my position leaning on the wall and look at him, baffled.

“Told me what, Derrick, spit it out?”

Derrick sighs, “That baby isn’t yours. It’s mine.” He blurts out, and I stare at him, my hands fisted at my sides. “After Sophie broke it off with me, she came over to collect her things one night, and we got into an argument, things got pretty heated, and well, we had sex. I didn’t use protection. I was too lost in the moment, and we both forgot.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing while I stood frozen, listening to him. My entire body was shaking with fury. “When I found out she was pregnant, I confronted her and asked her if it was mine, and she was adamant it was yours, but I kept pushing, and she admitted that it was mine.” He explains. “I was freaking out, Tristan. I wasn’t ready to be a father, and Sophie was so desperate to hold on to you that she offered me a payout to keep my mouth shut and made me sign a confidentiality agreement, and I did.” I shake my head horrified. “It didn’t feel right. I couldn’t sit back and let her pretend my child was another mans. I’m so sorry, Tristan.” I close my eyes, shaking my head.

“I can’t fucking believe this. She’s been deceiving me this whole time.” I growl and look at him. “Thank you, Derrick. You just prevented me from making the biggest mistake of my life.” I tell him, and he nods. I open the door and find Sophie’s brother in the corridor.

“Where’s Sophie?” I bark, and he jumps and points to the room down the hall. I was livid, no fuck that, I was beyond livid. Every time I thought of all the pain she’s put Shayla and me through, I got even angrier. I open the door and walk into the bridal room, and Sophie turns and looks at me. Her bridesmaids and mother, and a team of people doing her hair and make-up in the room with her. “Everyone out.” I hiss menacingly. They all look at one another only when Sophie nods, they all leave the room. Sophie stands up and walks over to me.

“Baby, what’s the matter?” She questions her blue eyes, searching mine.

“What’s the matter?” I growl, taking a step toward her. “I just had a surprise visit from Derrick.” Sophie’s face drops, and she backs away when I walk toward her.

“What did he say?” She asks, her voice mousy and barely over a whisper.

“He said the baby is his, and you paid him to keep his mouth shut,” I inform her, and her eyes instantly pool with tears, and she shakes her head swiftly.

“Tristan, he’s lying. He obviously wants to ruin our wedding.” She cries, backing away as I advance toward her.

“Don’t fucking lie to me!” I scream, picking up the chair and flinging it across the room. “You’re sick in the fucking head, you know that! I knew something didn’t add up! I used a condom when we slept together every time. I knew it, I felt it in my gut, but I ignored it and trusted you!” I shout, furious, pacing back and forth. “You almost cost me my fucking life!” I bellow, glaring at her.

“Tristan, I’m so sorry.” Sophie cries. “I panicked. I was about to lose you to her. I knew you were breaking up with me to be with her. It was written all over your face. I saw the love in your eyes when you were around her. I was going to get an abortion, but when you got back from Dubai, and you were about to break up with me, I didn’t want to lose you, so I just blurted it out. I’m so sorry!”

“Sorry? You’re fucking sorry?! Do you have any idea the hell you’ve put me through? The pain you’ve caused Shayla?!” I scream at her. “Have you no fucking sense Sophie? How could you try and ponce another man’s child on me for your own selfish gains? Do you think I’m fucking stupid and I wouldn’t find out that baby wasn’t mine eventually? You need some serious mental help! I can’t believe I ever fucking loved you. You make me sick!” I utter disgusted and turn to leave, but she grabs hold of my arms, sobbing.

“Tristan, please, I love you so much. Don’t leave me. I can make you happy. We can be happy just like we used to be, baby.” She pleads. I yank my arm out of her hold and shake my head.

“You wouldn’t know love if it slapped you in the fucking face. You can’t make me happy, Sophie, you never did, not really. There are only two women who have ever loved me unconditionally. One is my mother, and the other is Shayla. You better pray I catch her in time before she leaves, or you’re going to have hell to pay.” I snarl and yank the door open and walk out of the room. “The wedding is off,” I tell everyone standing there and walk past them and turn to look at Sophie’s parents. “Get your daughter some psychological help because she desperately needs it.”

“Tristan, sweetheart. What’s happened?” My mother asks, following me as I frantically look for my car keys.

“She’s been lying to me! The baby isn’t mine; it’s her ex-fiancés. She’s been lying to trap me into marrying her. I’m so fucking stupid. I’ve lost Shayla too because of her!” I shout, kicking the small wooden table angrily.

“Cole, you can still catch her if you hurry.” I look at Josh, who gestures with his head. “Gerald has the car keys. He’s outback, go and get your girl, man!” I was furious but so relieved at the same time. That weight I’ve been carrying around finally disappeared.

Annabelle was right, my body was trying to tell me something wasn’t right, and I kept ignoring it, thinking it was because I was broken over Shayla. I run out the back of the church. I jump in the car, and Gerald looks at me, waiting for instructions. “Take me to my love, Ger,” I tell him, and he smiles brightly, nodding. “Step on it!” I heave a sigh of relief. I can’t believe it. It’s like I’m waking up from a nightmare. I was so anxious. I couldn’t sit still. My hands were shaking, my heart racing like crazy. Please, please let her still be there. I’d fly to Canada and search every city till I find her if I had to. I’m not letting her go. Never. Ever. I’ll chase her all around the world because I can’t live without her. I don’t want to.

While my mind was reeling, I hadn’t realised we arrived at her street. I didn’t even wait for the car to stop before I dash out and race up to her apartment, taking two steps at a time till I got to the fifth floor. I bang my fist on the door in a flurry, the door opens, and I see Aimee standing there. “Please, tell me she’s here?”

Aimee shakes her head, “No, she went to the church to stop you. Didn’t you see her?” I shake my head, and a bubble of excitement erupts inside of me. “What are you waiting for idiot, GO!” Aimee shouts, pushing me out the door. I laugh, grab her face, and kiss her forehead with an audible ‘mwah’ before I run down the stairs again to go back to the church. Aimee sighs, watching me fly down the steps, a smile on her face.

* * *

Gerald looksat me through the window with a frown as I run toward the car and jump in.

“Sir?”

“Back to the church. Hurry!” Gerald nods and speeds off down the street again, chuckling to himself.

“What’s funny?” I ask him, panting, and he shakes his head, trying his best to suppress his laughter.

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