Page 30 of Enemy Ex's Secret Baby

“You really are just going let it fall to pieces because you’re not willing to do what needs to be done?”

I open my mouth to reply.

“Maybe I was wrong about you.”

A stinging sensation hits my chest. “What?”

“That you were more capable of following in my footsteps than your brother.” My dad turns his attention to his computer monitor and errantly clicks around as if he doesn’t have the time of day for me. “What a disappointment.”

“I am capable, Dad.”

He is silent. Ignoring me.

I might be thirty-two years old, but he has a way of making me feel like a mere child. Ignoring me, making it clear I have expectations to live up to, giving me a disappointed look when I haven’t fulfilled my obligation to him as my father.

Why have children if you’re expecting them to be anything but your own person?

“I don’t feel comfortable. That’s all. I’ll keep going to events, I’ll schedule some dinners, I’ll even –“

“That’s not good enough!” he barks.

I wince, words cutting me deep. Mom just wanted us to be good people. Jeremiah would make her proud. Lola too. Now here I am, being berated by our father who wants me to fake date someone just to get a condo built.

What have I become?

Dad takes a deep breath and rubs his eyes. “I don’t want it to go this way, Axel.”

“Which way?”

He raises his gray eyes to mine. They are cold and distant. Is that what people see in me? I remember when his eyes were tinged always with a smile. Now, this man isn’t my dad. He’s my boss. “I’m good at giving an ultimatum, Axel. You know I follow through on my word.”

My insides tremble. He’s seriously suggesting cutting me out. Just like he did Jeremiah. That would just leave Lola. And who is to say he wouldn’t eventually cut her out too. This man doesn’t know what it means to care. What it means to love.

At least not anymore.

“Hm? What do you have to say, Axel?”

I purse my lips.

What the hell is my life even? What does it mean?

“I need a moment,” I say softly.

Dad’s face twists with disgust. Though he doesn’t say it aloud, I can hear what he’s thinking. Soft. You’re so fucking soft.

I leave without another word, quietly walking the halls of my childhood home. A place that used to be my haven. Now it feels wretched.

My head swirls with thoughts as I get out to the car. I’ve given everything to my family. I have worked my ass off for years, avoiding any distractions. I’ve convinced myself I haven’t wanted relationships or a family of my own because that is what pleased my father.

And yet, one wrong move and he wants to cut me out.

At least I’d have Jeremiah.

I settle in behind the wheel of my beamer and lean back. I need to go for a drive. A long one.

I’ve got to clear my head.

11

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