Page 56 of A Lie so Dangerous and Fragile

“How could you hide such an adorable angel from me? I wasn’t even there when he came into the world or his first birthday or the second birthday. I didn’t get to see your baby bump or hear his first cry. That’s so unfair, Chloe.” Her voice rose at the end. “I understand why you did it, and I don’t blame you, but seriously, I thought somewhere in there, you had an itty-bitty trust for me. I’m so angry I missed all those moments. Wait, does he have a godmother?”

“No, not yet.”

“Good. If he already did, then I would have committed murder.”

“I’m not comfortable with this conversation,” Tristan said from behind us.

“Why? Because it’s all your fault?” She grimaced, venom laced in her voice.

“Vina, it’s fine. I want to put all that behind me,” I said, taking her hand.

She gave Tristan a murderous stare, eyes turning into slits and nose flaring.

“Let it go, please,” I whispered.

She turned to me with a sigh, her pouty lips curled upward. She pulled me in for a hug, squeezing me into her arms. She smelled expensive, and I almost didn’t want her to let go.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized before she pulled away.

“Don’t ever do that again.”

She playfully hit me, and I laughed.

“He is waking up.” Tristan announced.

We both pulled away and faced Kayden. He looked lost as he stared at Tristan, and he sat up slowly.

“Hey, little man.” Tristan brushed his hair back.

Kayden smiled and searched the room till his pure blue eyes landed on me. I reached to take him, but Vina beat me to it.

“Oh my God, he is so cute. Is he real?” she squealed. “You look nothing like your father. You took everything from your mama,” Vina whispered loud enough for Tristan to hear.

I chuckled as I saw Tristan’s reaction.

His tiny mouth widened in a yawn. I picked up my bag and gave Vina his sippy cup I’d filled with formula. He sucked the nip immediately after she put it in his mouth.

“Awww, my ovaries can’t handle this.” She smiled at him. “I have an idea. How about we betroth my daughter to—”

“No,” Tristan and I answered in unison.

“Well, that was harsh. I just think they’ll make a great couple.”

“How are you sure your first child will be a girl?” I asked her with an amused grin.

“You never know.” She shrugged.

The door opened, and Adrian walked in with three takeout bags in his hands.

“Vixen?” His gray eyes lit up as he stared at Vina like he was seeing her for the first time.

Vina sighed a curse in Spanish and rolled her eyes as he walked in.

“Fancy meeting you here.” Adrian grinned. He had yet to acknowledge there were three other people in this room apart from Vina.

“I wish I could say the same, Parker,” Vina said, taking my seat.

Adrian bit on his bottom lip, as if he was trying to stop the wide smile from eating up his face. He finally turned to me.

---