Page 63 of Grumpy Bossy Billionaire Enemy

I leaned against the wall of Troy’s office, my head tilted backward. I was supposed to feel a wash of relief; instead, I felt heaviness and emptiness. The test’s outcome didn’t change Amelia’s decision in any way.

“Thanks, man,” I reluctantly stated. “I’ll pick it up soon.”

****

Julia sat across from me in the dim light of the restaurant. She didn’t look me in the eyes. She looked like she was guilty about whatever I was about to accuse her of.

“Why did you lie?” I asked, placing the test result on the table between us.

She didn’t touch it; she already knew the outcome, and now, she had tears in her eyes. “The father is in jail.”

“I couldn’t go back home to my parents pregnant without a father.” Julia continued. “They’d get mad for coming home pregnant outside wedlock, but it would make more sense if the father was you.”

“If the father was from a wealthy family, you mean?”

“Yes,” Julia replied.

“So you wanted to use me to get some respect from your parents?”

“Is that too much to ask?”

I scoffed, “It’s costing me my marriage,” I replied. “You have no idea what you’ve done, Julia. I wish you'd taken the money I had offered you.”

“Henry,” Julia said, trying to hold me with a grip of familiarity, but I snatched it from her. “Please.”

“I’m sorry, Julia. We were finished a long time ago…too long ago to rekindle a relationship.”

I took out my check book and a pen from my pocket and wrote a check for one hundred thousand dollars for Julia.

“For your child.” I placed the check side by side with the paternity test result. “Good bye, Julia. I’ll see you when I see you.”

I got to the parking lot, and one thing caught my eyes. The same car Amelia’s new friend had driven to our house. I stayed behind the wheel as the driver came out. It was Jason, Amelia’s gym instructor. He was opening the door for someone in the passenger’s seat. My mouth hung open as I saw Amelia alight from Jason’s car. I was about to get out of my car, but I remember what had happened the last time I saw another man with Amelia. I’d lose it completely. I was not drunk tonight, but I couldn't trust the jealousy building in my body.

Amelia walked silently into the living room. She had just gotten back from her date with whomever Jason was to her, and she looked surprised to see me by the television.

“Hi,” Amelia said. I turned to see her tired face.

“Hi,” I replied. Amelia suddenly leaned on the chair for support. “Did you have a drink with your friend?”

“How did you know that I was out with a friend?”

“It doesn’t matter,” I replied. “Are you okay? Amelia?”

Amelia nodded. “I just feel a bit dizzy.”

“Should I take you to the hospital?” I hadn’t finished my words before Amelia rushed to the nearest bathroom.

I followed her, and she threw up into the sink. I held her hair up, preventing the vomit from getting in it.

“Did you drink too much?” I asked, and Amelia threw up again.

I knew Amelia to be a light drinker. She couldn’t have gotten alcohol poisoning from drinking a few drinks. I had one more guess: food poisoning. Amelia’s medical instinct always kicked in at every restaurant, and she was smart enough not to eat anything that could give her food poisoning.

“I didn’t drink,” she replied. “I didn’t even take a sip.”

I believed her. So, I asked her one last question that popped into my head. “Do you think it’s food poisoning?”

“Should I take you to the hospital?”

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