Page 79 of The Grumpy Billionaire Baby Daddy

“Jason, you’ve lost a lot of weight. I’m starting to get worried.”

I rub the back of my neck. “It’s the stress, Mom. But I’ll recover as soon as the partnership deal with Davidson takes off. I’ve also noticed the dark circles under my eyes.”

Mom’s brows furrow. “Have you heard from Fiona yet?”

Well, how do I tell her the last time I did, Fiona said she wasn’t coming back? Mom was really looking forward to meeting her grandkid and the Greene Empire heir.

“I did, but it’s not positive.”

“Stop trying to mince words. Tell me.”

“She might not be coming back.”

I’m not prepared for the tears that prickle my eyes. I blink them back. I’ve never missed anyone as much as I miss her. I spent only a short time with her, yet thoughts of her consume me like she’s been part of my life for decades.

“I miss her, Mom.”

Her gaze softens, and I look away to hide my eyes. I’m not prepared to look that helpless in front of Mom. I should be strong for her. But the thought that I might never see Fiona again shakes me to my core.

Just then, Richard appears at the living room entrance. He’s grinning.

“What?” I say.

“I have a surprise for you.”

I roll my eyes and stand to my feet.

“I don’t have time for your games today. I have a runway sh—”

Richard steps aside to reveal three people at the entrance. One of them is Fiona.

Fiona! My eyes widen. What? How? When?

“Fiona?” Moving closer to her, my arms extend in an eager embrace. As our bodies connect, my eyes well up with tears, and I permit myself to cry freely. In all my life, the only time that tears have escaped my eyes was when my father passed away. But Fiona is different, and in her presence, I am overcome by emotions I never knew I could feel - an amalgamation of fear, love, tenderness, and anguish, all at once.

I break away, looking from her to Richard as she laughs, her cheeks wet with tears.

“How?”

“Well, she found out someone cleared her parents’ debt, and she called me. I picked her up.”

I grin and turn back to her. I had no idea she’d figure it was me. I just wanted to do something to show her that I really cared about her. I bring my thumbs to her face and wipe her tears.

“I missed you.”

“I missed you too,” she says, cheeks flushed.

“Fiona, come here.”

Mom takes her into an embrace, rubbing her back as they sway from side to side, even though Fiona’s belly comes in the middle.

“Let me tell you, when you left, no one was the same. The boys were so sad. I think Richard missed you more, though.”

Fiona giggles as they break away. She turns her attention to the two older individuals who have lingered at the entrance, observing the man with bright blue eyes that resemble her own. His gaze roams the expanse of the house, his mouth agape in wonderment. This reaction is hardly unexpected, for those who visit here for the first time are invariably awestruck by the magnificence of this abode.

“Jason, Bertha, meet my parents.”

The man takes the woman’s hand, though she seems hesitant, and moves toward us.

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