“What does the father think?” Cora asks.

“That’s enough questions,” I say, clearing my throat. “You should be resting.”

Cora whines. “That’s all I ever get to do. I want to hear all about your love life.”

“Nice try.”

* * *

Sitting at the nurses’ station, sipping a bottle of water and typing up notes, I glance up when I feel someone staring at me.

“Aurielo?”

What the hell is he doing here?

I save the file and quickly scamper around to grab him by the lapels and drag him into the breakroom.

“We need to talk,” he says.

I shut the door behind us.

“You couldn’t wait until I got home tonight from work to discuss whatever is on your mind?” I can’t believe he has the nerve to just show up while I’m at work!

“Is it true?” He steps closer, cornering me in the small, enclosed room.

“Is what true?” I stare up into his dark stern gaze. He’s dressed to the nines in his suit coat. He looks every bit a businessman and out of place in the hospital.

Truthfully, I prefer the ensemble that I saw him in this morning, casual and sexy, but it’s not like it matters.

We’re married, but it’s not out of love.

“That Ashton is my son.” His hands are balled into fists at his side. He stares at me, waiting for me to answer him.

Is he expecting me to confirm his suspicions?

“Ashton isn’t yours.” There’s no father marked on the birth certificate. It isn’t like I knew how to reach him, not that I tried either.

“Don’t lie to me!” his voice bellows. My arms tingle, and I shiver. “Giovan suggested I take a DNA test and compare mine with Ashton’s.”

I lick my lips. “You don’t want to do that.”

“And why not?” he asks, leaning closer. He pulls something from his pocket, shoving it in my face.

I reach for the faded photograph, examining it thoroughly. The image looks so much like Ashton.

“That’s me,” Aurielo says, clarifying his point. “I look just like Ashton at that age.”

I open my mouth and glance past Aurielo for the door. It’s shut. The window is frosted. No one is likely to come in and check on us anytime soon.

“A lot of kids have similar features,” I whisper.

“Are you really going to lie to my face, Micetta?”

My bottom lip trembles. I don’t want to be afraid, but I worry about my son. His safety and the man who he’ll become if he looks up to Aurielo.

“You’re a monster,” I whisper, staring up into his darkened irises. “I don’t want my son to become like you.”

“This monster saved your life. Don’t you ever forget that, Micetta,” Aurielo says and turns, storming out of the breakroom.