Page 24 of Trapped with My Rival Billionaire Grump

“You said you were on the pill.” I threw my hands into the air in frustration, feeling like the whole world was crumbling beneath my feet.

“Well, I’m sorry that some kind of mistake occurred, but I got pregnant by you, Ethan.”

“Why are you just showing up now? Why now?” I asked, feeling my heart tear apart.

A tear rolled down Jessica’s face as she stepped toward me. Instinctively I moved back. “I couldn’t face you. I was so pissed at myself for what I did to you, and when I found out that I was pregnant, I thought it would be best if I raised the child on my own. I didn’t want to make your life any harder than I already made it. I’m sorry, Ethan. Really sorry.”

My mind was still numb and I couldn’t find the right words. “Then why are you here now if you already decided to raise him on your own without telling me?”

“Because a boy needs his father, Ethan,” her voice softened as she tried enticing me. “And I thought you’d be more enthusiastic finding out about your child.”

That may have been possible when I was madly in love with her, but not so much after I was bitten by her venom. And the only woman I want as the mother of my child wasn’t Jessica.

“I know this is shocking for you,” Jessica said in that nauseating voice of hers. “But I hope you can forgive me and that the three of us can be a family.”

I remained unmoved, feeling too numb to even sort out my emotions. The sudden vibration of my watch interrupted our conversation, signaling it was time for my online conference. It provided an opportunity for me to escape the overwhelming situation.

“I have a meeting now,” I said curtly, striding back to my desk and sitting down.

“So you’re back to following a strict schedule,” she commented, her eyes fixed on me. “When we were together, you let go of this habit. I must have hurt you a great deal, I’m sorry.”

I couldn’t dwell on her apology. “Leave, Jessica, I have a meeting,” I said coldly.

Reluctantly, she turned to leave but not before saying, “I’ll leave, but we have to talk soon. I already told Parker that he’ll be meeting his father, it’s what I promised him for his birthday.”

My eyes narrowed. “When is his birthday?”

“It was last week. I couldn’t fulfill my promise then, but I hope you’ll help me fulfill it now. Bye, Ethan.”

As she said this, she left my office. I pulled at the tie on my neck, cursing out loud, “Damn it!”

I felt a mix of anger and confusion consuming me. The news of sudden fatherhood was too much to handle. I needed to clear my head, so I canceled the rest of my appointments for the day and sent my assistant home.

Once I was alone in my office, I tried to find a solution to this unexpected situation, but my mind was clouded. I despised the idea of being connected to Jessica through a child, and I couldn’t fathom forgiving her. I couldn’t say much about Parker himself, hell I might even grow to love him. I love kids, but Jessica was someone I hated and I didn’t think it would be easy to forgive her.

Olivia McKenna, the woman I loved, occupied my thoughts. How was I going to explain this to her? I couldn’t just abandon her and form a family with someone I despised. At the same time, Parker deserved to have his father in his life.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t realize how much time had passed until I heard Olivia’s voice. It was then it jolted me back to reality, and I realized I should be getting ready for my dinner date.

13

Olivia

I bit down on my bottom lip, feeling a pang of guilt as I declined Lillian’s invitation once again. Naomi’s teasing only made the situation worse. It was the third time Lillian had invited me to join the ladies from work for dinner this month, and for the third time, I had to say no because I already had plans with Ethan. I couldn’t possibly stand him up.

“Let her be, Lillian, she has a date,” Naomi whispered with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

I rolled my eyes at her and apologized to Lillian. “I’m sorry, Lillian.”

“It’s not a problem,” Lillian said, shrugging it off. A curious expression crossed her face. “Are you ever going to introduce us to this secret boyfriend of yours?”

“Speak for yourself, I already know who he is,” Naomi chimed in with a singsong voice. “It’s someone we all know.”

“Is it Andy?” Lillian asked, her ears perking up.

I squinted my eyes at first, genuinely confused about who Andy was until it clicked. “Wait, Mr. Thompson?”

“What?” Naomi burst into laughter.

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