Page 64 of The Grumpy Billionaire Baby Daddy

"Gotta go take a nap. I'm glad Dad's the one at the shop today."

She makes for the door, stopping at the entrance.

"Fifi?"

"Yes, Mom."

"Come to me if you ever need anything."

She smiles and winks. I nod.

"Yes, Mom."

The door shuts, and I'm alone again. I stretch out on the bed, pulling the soft white blanket over me. It's like the dark clouds over my head’s easing up slowly. Now, Mom’s talking to me. That's a good sign that things will start to look up.

I yawn, my eyes watering. I should get a nap too. Just when I shut my eyes, my phone vibrates beside me. I lean up and pick it up from the bed. My heart stops. It's Jason again. It's been one week, and he hasn't given up or grown tired of calling me. I glance at the clock on the dressing table —12 pm. He should be on a work break. My fingers hover over the screen. Should I take the call or not?

Before I'm done making a decision, my finger hits the receiver.

No. No. No. What was I thinking?

I stay silent. There's no sound on the other end except for his breathing—it’s calm, almost like he's sleeping.

"Are you just going to stay silent?"

I'm not prepared for how much his deep, dreamy voice shakes me to my core. I haven't heard his voice for a month, and I've missed the sound of the low tunes he speaks. It tingles my skin.

"Talk to me."

"There's nothing to say, Jason."

“Fine. Let's start with this. Where are you?”

Do I want to tell him that? What if he finds the house?

“I need to know you're safe at least. Please.”

“I'm safe. And I’m fine too here.”

“So you're not going to tell me where you are?”

“No.”

He exhales and sucks his teeth.

“Okay. When are you coming back?”

I scoff. “Coming back?” I sit up, moving the blanket away. “Jason, I’m not coming back.”

The moment the words leave my mouth, my heart sinks. I don't know if I mean that or if I'm just saying. The truth is, I want to. But there’s no point. I can't leave the baby at the house or stay there six months after birth. I wouldn't have a reason to unless Jason and I were a thing. We're not, and that makes it complicated.

“That's not fair, Fiona. I…” he inhales. “I miss you.”

My heart races, and I hold my chest to make it stop. It doesn't.

“I want to meet my child. I want to be our baby’s father. You know I also need an heir. Please, don't do this to us. Please.”

“I hear you but I can't.”

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