Page 73 of Enemy Ex's Secret Baby

His jaw drops open. “If she’s mine, I want to be a part of her life!”

If Martin was indeed her father, that would be music to my ears. I can only hope when I tell Axel he feels the same.

“Do you know what a mindfuck it is to be a normal guy going through life only to find out on a Saturday night you might have a daughter that you didn’t know about?”

“I can only imagine.”

“I have a right to know.”

I swallow and carefully touch his hands. “Martin…listen to me. I am happy to have this conversation with you. Anytime. Anywhere.” I take a deep breath. “But I can’t right now.”

Martin jerks his hands away from me. “I’m willing to take legal action if I have to.”

“Legal action? Martin, please, it’s not–”

“I want a paternity test. And if she’s mine, I want custody.”

I shake my head. This has all gotten so out of hand. “You can’t do that.”

“Why not? Don’t I have a right to get to know my daughter?”

“You don’t.”

Martin and I go silent and turn toward the source of the voice. Lola has appeared from the back of the bakery.

“What?” Martin asks. I can feel him ready to fight even harder. Dammit, Lola, why did you have to step in and try and save me?

Lola holds her head high. “You don’t have a right to get to know her because you’re not Stella’s father.” She turns toward me, looks me dead in the eye. Her expression is tender, yet…mysterious. “My brother…Axel. He’s Stella’s father.”

I feel the color drain from my face.

24

AXEL

“Axel. He’s Stella’s father.”

I stop in my tracks, right in the doorway of the bakery.

Did I hear her right? Could my mind be playing tricks on me?

The look on Gillian’s face tells me everything I need to know. Her eyes roll toward me, face white as a sheet, her mouth ajar. “Oh no,” she whispers.

Lola and Martin turn to look at me as well. Been years since I’ve seen the guy, but he doesn’t look a day over twenty-whatever he was when he and Gillian dated.

Doesn’t matter.

I’m still processing what my sister has just said.

I’m Stella’s father?

“Is that true?” Martin asks me, eyes hardened.

I open my mouth to speak but nothing comes out.

“Listen, we have some things to talk about, Martin. Family things. Things you shouldn’t be privy to since you’re not technically a part of this, so…” Lola rambles, coming out from behind the counter and grabbing Martin by the shoulder. “If you’d excuse us–” She marches him up to the door and then looks at me. “We need to talk.”

I look back at Gillian. Her eyes are planted on the floor, hands gripping the counter for dear life.

---