“I know, Lily. I should have told you. I just... I was scared,” I say. “Being pregnant is a scary thing, especially because I haven’t told Alex…”

An unexpected sound of footsteps makes my eyes bolt open. I spin around, and there I see him.

Alex Cooper is standing in the doorway.

Chapter thirty-three

Alex

There’s…no fucking way. Emily’s words hit me like a sudden, heavy wave, and I'm left reeling in shock.

My heart skips a beat, and I struggle to process what I've just heard.

Emily is pregnant…with my child.

My mind races with a torrent of confused thoughts.

How could she not tell me about this?

Why keep it a secret all along?

My anger simmers just beneath the surface, like a smoldering ember about to ignite into a fiery blaze.

I try to stand upright in the doorway, but my world feels like it's crumbling. I don't understand why Emily would keep something as significant as a pregnancy from me.

After our shared moments of intimacy and connection, this secret feels like a betrayal. The hurt goes deeper than I can express. Questions and doubts gnaw at my mind, threatening to consume me.

How could she do this to us?

I thought we were opening up to each other, but now it feels like she's shut me out. The shock and confusion twist into an angry knot in my chest, and I'm torn between wanting to confront her and needing some space to process this.

“Alex, listen to me…”

Emily's voice is a distant echo, lost in the whirlwind of my emotions. I can't bring myself to talk to her, to let her explanations wash over me.

“Alex?”

With a deep breath, I turn away and walk out, leaving Emily behind without another word. I'm totally not ready to confront the situation.

“Alex! Come on!”

Moments later, I’m pacing around my stateroom on my own yacht.

I can't believe I let myself open up like that. I should've known better; I should've just kept to myself. The idea of sharing my thoughts, my feelings, with a woman… It's utterly ridiculous. I feel like I'm to blame for everything.

Why did I let her in?

Why did I expose myself like that?

With a heavy sigh, I grumble angrily as I get into bed, tormented by my own vulnerability.

Chapter thirty-four

Emily

Iburst into the apartment, startling Lily, who’s holding a mug of tea. She nearly drops it as she observes my disheveled appearance.

With a wry smile, she comments, “Wow, you look like a mess. What happened?”