Chapter 20
ANNA S POV
The past few weeks had gone by quickly like the wind since the launch of my new company. While the opening had been a success, the aftermath had been anything but smooth.
Despite my best efforts to keep Caden at a distance, he was persistent in inserting himself into my life.
One area where he had particularly refused. to back down was when it came to my prenatal appointments.
As I pulled up to the doctor’s office that particular day, I exhaled and rolled my eyes to the back of my head in annoyance. Caden was already waiting for me, a wide grin plastered across his face. “There’s my girl!” he called out, waving enthusiastically.
Excited much?
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My face wrinkled into a small frown. “I’m not your girl, Caden,” I reminded him, as I approached the entrance.
“Not yet,” he quipped, earning himself another eye roll from me.
We made our way to the exam room, and I lay on the examination table, my belly. exposed as the doctor applied the ultrasound gel.
My eyes were glued to the screen, watching as the tiny form of my baby came into. focus. This was really happening – I was
going to be a mother. Even though with the wrong baby daddy.
“Okay, let’s take a look,” the doctor said, moving the wand over my stomach.
I felt Caden hold my hand and felt the urge to pull away but just decided to stay put.
We watched in silence as the doctor pointed out the different features of the baby, and I couldn’t stop the feeling of
excitement.
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Just as the doctor was wrapping up the appointment, movement in the doorway caught my eye. There, standing with a pained expression on his face, was Nate.
His eyes were fixed on Caden’s hand holding mine.
He looked hurt, jealous even.
I wanted to call out to him, to explain that it wasn‘ t what it looked like but my throat went dry. Instead, I watched helplessly as he turned and disappeared down the hallway.
I immediately reached for my phone the moment the session was over and dialed Nate‘ s number. It rang several times. before he picked up.
“Hey,” he said, his voice neutral.
“Hey, I’m so sorry about earlier. I didn’t know Caden was going to show up, and I had planned on going alone…”
Nate sighed on the other end of the line.
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“Anna, he is the dad, after all. You should enjoy your time with him.”
I felt a pang of hurt. “Nate, that’s not fair.
1…”
But he cut me off. “I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
And with that, he hung up.
I felt bad, wondering if I had hurt him more than I realized.
Just then, my phone buzzed with a text from my mom. “Hey sweetie, want to come. over for dinner tonight? Your dad and I haven’t seen you in ages.”
I smiled, feeling surprised but happy. It had been ages since I’d had a family dinner, and the thought of spending time with my parents was just what I needed.
I texted my mom back, saying I’d be there surely.
As I got dressed and ready to leave later that evening, I bumped into Nate, who was
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just returning home.
“Hey, I’m headed to my parents‘ for dinner.”
Nate nodded. “Have fun.”
And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving me feeling uncertain and worried about our relationship.
When I arrived, my parents greeted me with warm hugs and beaming smiles.
“Wow, you two really went all out. This looks amazing.” I commented, noting the feast on the table.
Just as I was about to take a bite, the last person I was expecting to see appeared in the doorway.
“Caden?” I blurted out, my eyes widening in surprise. “What are you doing here?”
He offered a small smile, his hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans. “I, uh, I’m
sorry I’m late. Your mom invited me, and I couldn’t resist the chance to spend some time with you and your family.”
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I turned to my mother with an arched brow.
“Mom, you invited Caden?”
My mother nodded. “Yes, dear. I thought it would be a good opportunity for the two of you to… well, to try and work things out. Caden is the father of your child.”
I dropped my fork noisily in my plate in irritation. “Mom, how could you do this without talking to me first? In fact, I’m leaving.”
Caden had his hands raised now in a placating gesture.
“Jeez, Anna, do you really hate me that much? I’m just trying to right my wrongs, to be there for you and our child. Can’t you at least give me a chance?”
I looked into his pleading eyes, and I felt my resolve start to crumble. “Darling, it’s disrespectful to walk away like that. Just stay.” Dad chimed in.
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Letting out a resigned sigh, I sank back into my chair. “Fine. Let’s just… get this dinner. over with.”
As the final course was cleared away, I stood up, my eyes fixed on the front door. “Well, this has been lovely, but I really should be getting home. Nate’s probably wondering where I am.”
When I finally got home, I met Nate waiting for me with a serious look on his face.
He held out his phone, the screen displaying a photo of Caden and me at the dining table earlier. “This was just supposed to be dinner with your parents, right? You two look pretty cozy.”
Damn Caden. My mom had clicked the photo unexpectedly and Caden had the nerve to post it on his story.
“My parents invited Caden, and I didn’t know until he showed up. I was just as surprised and upset as you were.”
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Nate’s jaw tightened, giving me a hard look.
“Maybe we should just end this sham of a marriage, Anna.”
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