Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27565 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27565 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Avalon’s still disbelieving though, and narrows her blue eyes to a squint.
“Oh really,” she drawls sarcastically. “So you’re going to blame it on your fall guy.”
I shake my head with frustration.
“He’s not my fall guy because believe me, the buck stops with me. I’m CEO for a reason, and I’ve never shirked my responsibilities, either personally or professionally. But things have definitely gone off course, and I can see that we’re not making any headway here today. I’ll leave, and please, call me when you’re ready.”
With that, I get up and begin to head for the door, my back straight but my soul crushed. Damn, the damage is even worse than I thought, and to be honest, Avalon is so hurt that I’m not sure there’s any coming back from this. But as my hand reaches for the knob of the front door, her voice cuts into me.
“Why haven’t you contacted me then? Why have you been incommunicado for the last week? Surely, you noticed that I wasn’t at the mansion anymore.”
I pause for a moment, breathing hard, before turning and fixing her with a serious gaze.
“I know this sounds crazy, but after I found the positive pregnancy test, I went to work and saw Jimmy. Yes, we talked, and yes, I was probably somewhat agitated during the conversation. So I took off for the cabin immediately afterwards because I wanted to wrap my head around what’s happened.”
Avalon pins me with a look.
“And what’s happened?”
I take a deep breath.
“What’s happened is that I wasn’t expecting to have a third child because, believe it or not, there has never been any kind of breeding program in place. I don’t do that, and find it repulsive and despicable. So I was shaken to my core by the news of your pregnancy, and took off for the cabin to collect myself. I needed time to process the news of a third child, and I only got back a couple hours ago. I only discovered your absence recently, and I came here when it hit home that you were no longer living at the mansion.”
Avalon stares at me.
“Do you expect me to believe that?”
I shake my head.
“Honestly, no. But it’s the truth, Avalon. I suffered postpartum depression after Ellie was born, and didn’t think I could handle another child. I went to a therapist for almost a year after her birth, and my conclusion from spending six figures on therapy, in addition to hundreds of hours of time, was that I couldn’t handle another child. But now, I’m having a third.”
Avalon squints at me.
“You had postpartum depression as a guy? How does that even happen? I know new moms can get it, but the dad? Really?”
I shrug my shoulders.
“Having two children just got to be too much. You know that I have two companies, and that I’m CEO of both. I have a difficult schedule, and yet I prioritize my family too. I’m present in both of my daughters’ lives, and I don’t want my kids raised by nannies. That’s why I was at the cabin when I met you. Ellie’s mom took a week-long vacation, and instead of passing my daughter off to a nanny, I decided to do it myself. I was with Ellie almost 24/7 for seven days, and exhausted from the effort. So I sought solace in the cabin afterwards, except that bastard Rick Purdy decided to send you along.”
Avalon squints at me, her posture relaxing a bit.
“So you really are hands-on with your kids.”
“Yes, absolutely,” I say in a fervent voice. “I didn’t think I could handle more, either. Again, I’m the CEO of two companies, and I already have two daughters whom I’m invested in. The news of a third child sent me into a tailspin and I freaked out. I absolutely was a nervous mess when I spoke with Jimmy Warren the next morning, and I think he took things into his own hands and reached out to you. But he was wrong on the offer,” I say in a forceful tone. “I’m not asking you to relocate, and I’m not asking you to move out of my home. If anything, I want a real relationship with you, Avalon, and I want us to raise this child together under one roof. I love you, Avalon, and I’m so sorry that shit has gone off the rails like this. I would take it back if I could, but I freaked out and ran when I should have stayed.”
The gorgeous blonde stares at me, speechless. Is it my imagination, or does her belly pooch out a bit already? But it can’t be because it’s far too early for her to be showing.
Still, I know how silly male postpartum depression sounds, and try to explain myself again, this time a bit desperate.