Page 96 of Broken Daddy

Because if I let myself, I might want it too badly. And I was never meant for something so precious.

Chapter40

Nathan

For the first time since I let her in my home, Genevieve Walker steps into the kitchen hesitantly.

She’s barefoot again, her toes painted a pretty pastel green that reminds me of the forest in late spring. Relaxing, quiet—everything I’m not feeling right now.

Rolling my shoulders, I try to get rid of the knot that’s been there for two days. Since the incident. Chris is working quickly to press charges and get a restraining order in place in case Erik makes bail. I highly doubt he will.

“Hey.”

Her voice is quiet, a higher pitch than usual, self-conscious.

“Hey,” I say without turning around. I’m wrist-deep in the sink, scrubbing dishes from earlier in the night.

“You don’t have to do that, you know. I can just load up the dishwasher before I go to bed.”

“It’s fine,” I answer curtly. “I like doing this. Always have.”

Memories flow of Julia and I flicking soap bubbles at each other, laughing. The drying towel balanced on her belly when she was pregnant with Eva.

How strange to be standing in the same kitchen with another woman who’s carrying my child. But there’s no laughter right now, and Gen—she’s leaving.

It hit me hard at the hospital.

Eva’s concern and fear, the way she reached out for Gen almost on instinct. She’s attached to her, and I don’t know why I didn’t see this coming. Why I didn’t try harder to keep it from happening.

Eva’s heart is going to break when Gen leaves.

In just two short weeks, summer is over. She’s free to pack up and book it to Germany, far away from me. Taking the baby with her.

She could disappear, if she wanted to.

“You okay?” Gen asks quietly, leaning against the counter.

“Just been a long few days.”

She goes still. The kind of stillness I recognize. Despite trying to mask my frustration, it’s seeping out, and she’s noticed.

“If this is about mixing you up in everything, I’m sorry.”

“No. It’s not that,” I answer immediately, sounding sure of myself. “I’m happy I was there. I’m happy I stopped it and that you’re safe.”

Gen is quiet for a moment. She turns her body toward me, looking up at me with serious dark eyes.

“Then what’s going on? You’ve been distant. Ever since it happened. Did I do something wrong, or…?”

“I don’t think you should be here.”

The words spill out before I can stop them. It’s like she’s been slapped. Her mouth drops open, her eyes go wide. Then a flush starts high in her cheeks.

“Wh-why?” Now there’s anger tingeing her words. “Nathan, what did I do? You owe me an explanation. If this doesn’t have anything to do with Erik, then what is it?”

Pulling my hands from the water, I jerkily dry them on a towel and turn to face her. Stare her down. Try to impart just how serious I am about this, because now it’s flaring within me, this insecurity I’ve felt for months now.

“I don’t think you should be here. Eva is too attached to you. I—there’s just no—” Snapping my mouth shut, I try to get my brain to work. To explain properly, firmly. “You’re leaving, Gen. You’ve made that very clear.” My eyes drop to her belly, regret thickening my throat. “And if you’re leaving, you should go sooner rather than later. I don’t want to see Eva get hurt.”

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