Page 15 of The Partner Predicament

Mason pounds on the gate until someone finally appears. The man is older and greying but he has a sharp gaze and stares at us intently.

“Can I help you?” he asks in an even tone.

“Yes,” Mason replies. Get the head of this institute down here. I want to know where the hell my Partner is before I tear this building down with my bare fucking hands.”

“And may I say who would like to see him?” the old man asks evenly like nothing Mason says or does can affect him.

“Mason Meyer.”

The old man balks at his name before nodding and scurrying off to find whoever needs to be found. I study Mason closely trying to figure out what the hell is going on. Before I can ask, the gates swing open and a man in a grey three-piece suit is already apologizing profusely.

Chapter Thirteen

Aspen

I haven’t stopped crying since they took me, leaving Jaxon with a bloody lip beside the road. I know my emotional state can’t be good for the baby but I can’t seem to make it stop. Perhaps it’s the hormones.

Two men sit in the front of the van and one beside me. None of them speak a word and they won’t answer any of my questions. When the gate for the House of Fertility looms in the distance I know what has happened. Mason and Jaxon are sending me back.

They have changed their minds and now I will live out my life in this horrible, cold building. I will be lonely and miserable because I know what true joy is. And now that it’s been ripped away, I will never be the same.

Tears stream down my face as I try to compose myself but it’s no use. My heart has been broken, torn apart, and ripped to shreds, and no amount of deep breathing is going to fix this.

When the van stops one of the men escorts me into the building, past all the rooms, and toward the medical wing. The House doctor is waiting for me. She needs to make sure that I’m healthy before admitting me to the House. I went through this the first time I came here so I remember the routine rather well.

“Hello, Aspen,” she says gently. “I’m sorry this happened but maybe it’s for the best.”

I want to rage and fight but I know it won’t do me any good. I will never see Mason or Jaxon again.

“What will happen to the baby?” I ask through my tears.

“Baby?” The doctor looks astonished. “Have you tested yet?”

I was on my way to get tested before.” A sob escapes me and cuts off my explanation.

“All right dear,” the doctor says as she pats my shoulder. “Take a deep breath and we’ll get to the bottom of this mess. First, we need to know if you’re pregnant.”

The doctor proceeds to talk to me in a calming tone, drawing blood and running what she refers to as a rapid blood test. Within fifteen minutes it’s confirmed that I am pregnant, and she rolls a mobile sonar machine in to look at the baby.

The moment I hear the heartbeat, my heart breaks all over again. My little miracle will never know her daddies. As I cry the doctor wraps her arms around me and for long moments just holds me.

“Sorry to interrupt…” It’s the same man that brought me here. “The head of the institute needs to see Aspen.”

I stare at him for a long moment before moving toward the door.

“Wait,” the doctor says as she pushes buttons on the ultrasound. “Baby’s first picture!” She smiles as she hands me the black-and-white printed sonogram.

“Thank you,” I rasp as I follow the guard to the office building.

****

Mason

“Mr. Meyer.” The head of the institute offers his hand but I only glare at him.

“Cut the bullshit. Where is Aspen?” I demand.

“Mr. Meyer, as you well know, she is not—”

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