Page 57 of The Grumpy Billionaire Baby Daddy

She doesn't say a word and the car is silent for what feels like an eternity. Finally, I wipe the snot off my nose and straighten. El starts the car and approaches the apartment that is home to my parents.

"I'll drop you off and leave. I think you guys need some privacy."

"Doing this alone is the worst thing ever."

El shuffles my hair as we arrive at the green apartment complex.

Taking my hand again, she looks at me.

"You've got this."

"That's not true."

She raises her arms in acome-heremanner, and I melt into them, sobbing.

"You've got this," she says again.

We break away, and I step out of the car, turning to wave goodbye.

"Call me if you need anything," she yells as she speeds away. I look up at the apartment complex, my heart in my mouth.

Here goes nothing.

I walk into the building and take the stairs, grimacing. The long climb is painful for my already swollen legs. Stopping at intervals, I bend and take in deep breaths. Finally, I'm on our floor. I walk toward the door of our apartment.

When I reach it, I lift my hands to ring the bell but roll my palms into a fist instead and bring my hand down. This is more difficult than I thought. I bring my hand up again to the doorbell and push the button.

Everything else is quiet except for my heartbeat. The door opens up, and the first pair of eyes I see is Dad's.

He steps aside, holding the door as I walk into the house with my head bowed. I turn to him when he shuts the door. What should I say? What should I do?

Dad stands at the door, watching me.

"Keith, who was —-"

Mom halts as she steps into the living room. The tension in the living room is a mix of love and disappointment, the kind of feeling that grazes your spine and makes you want to disappear.

A tear escapes mom's cheeks when her eyes land on my stomach. She walks toward dad, placing her arm around him.

Dad motions for me to sit on a couch and takes Mom's hands, leading her to another couch. We sit in opposite directions.

Dad rubs his hands together and clears his throat.

"When did you find out you were —-"

"Why did you lie to us?"

My breath hitches. El said to tell them everything. But what if they don't understand?

Dad turns to Mom, squeezing her hand. She stares at the floor.

"When did you find out about the… the baby?" He continues.

"About six months ago. It was around the time when I got ill and went for a test."

"You told me it was an infection!" Mom shouts.

This is going to be harder than I thought. The ache in my chest threatens to tear it apart.

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