Page 36 of CEO's Baby Scandal

“We specialize in Italian cuisine, and our chef is well known for his handmade pasta. Our special today is linguini Alfredo. Would you like to start with an appetizer?” She clicked her pen and smiled at me.

“No, thanks. Let’s start with a couple of waters. I’ll have a cup of coffee, black, and we’ll take the special. Thank you.” It was like my father to take command. He ordered for both of us without asking my consent, something he’d have done to me when I was a child. The habit never wore off.

The waitress scribbled something on her pad and shoved it in her apron pocket. “I’ll be right back with those waters and your coffee.” She walked away, and I was left with nothing but time to be humiliated by his reproach.

“Now, you were saying?” Dad leaned in his chair at an angle, crossing one arm over his stomach and grasping his other wrist.

“You were right.” The words clawed their way out of my throat, scratching me and tearing out part of my heart with them as they left my lips. I had loved her so deeply, more than any woman I’d ever met, and she’d deceived me.

“How is that?” he asked, readjusting his silverware. He was torturing me, making me work for it. He would force me to admit with my own mouth everything that was happening because he relished the idea that I was still lesser than him.

“Her family threatened to file a lawsuit—sexual harassment, gross abuse of power, hostile work environment. You name it.” I clenched my jaw and braced myself. I found myself fidgeting with the fork again. I must have gotten that from him. Two peasin a pod. Except when it came to women. I was a damn fool, easy to trick, and it happened time and again.

He said nothing, just sat there with his hand resting on the table. The silence was worse than a lecture. I wanted him to just lay into me, tell me I was stupid, yell at me, anything other than sit there staring. I squirmed in my seat, frustrated. Michael had at least shouted at me, told me what a dummy I was, but I knew the firm would back me and so would my other staff members. I’d never been anything other than ethical with them, so there was no history of my having uncouth behavior.

“Well, Son, how bad is it? Do you think they’re serious?”

The question was not expected at all. I looked up at him and shrugged my shoulders. “I think her sister was very serious. She waited until the end of the day, after Emily had already told me she’d be visiting her parents for the weekend. She came into my office, told me how evil I was and that they’d sue if I didn’t back off, and Emily hasn’t answered a single call or text message since then.” That part had sealed the deal for me.

If it was just Emily’s sister speaking out of turn, why was Emily avoiding me? Refusing my calls… But because of the timing, the way things happened, and Emily’s silence, I knew in my heart that it was a real threat.

“Alright, then back off.” His words made my heart wrench. Back off? How did I do that when I loved her?

I wanted to call her and talk this out, find out what she was thinking. If she’d been that unhappy with me, why hadn’t she told me about it? Why had she gone to her family to complain about the work environment?

“And you should get the firm to write up termination papers for her too. Make it legal. You have to show that her threats were taken seriously. Nip it in the bud before they think you’re still pursuing her.” Dad smiled as the waitress walked up and set twoglasses of water and a cup of coffee in front of us. “Thank you, dear.”

“No problem. Your meals will be out soon. You got in just before the rush.” She tucked her empty tray under her arm and strolled away, and I noticed the line of folks by the hostess stand. She was right, the place would be packed in a few moments.

“Look, Dan. You didn’t listen. Shame on you. But now that you know, before any damage is done, you can take action. Cut her off. Make it clear to her family that you have. Provide her a nice severance package and be done with it.”

My shoulders dropped in defeat. I didn’t want to do any of that because my heart was still so tangled up with emotion for her, but I knew it was the right call. I’d never had to walk away from someone I still loved. It was the hardest thing I’d ever thought of doing. But as I sat there, sipping my water, I realized that my dad was right. It was time to move on and cut my losses. Emily's behavior had shown me that she didn't want to be with me, and it was time for me to accept that and move on. If she was brash enough to scheme with her family to do this to me, then I’d force her to play her own game.

The waitress returned to deliver our food, though I wasn’t hungry anymore, and as she did, a familiar face showed up. Keri Davidson stood beside me, grinning.

“Dan, I invited Keri. I thought you two could catch up a bit.” Dad looked proud of himself, but I was very unhappy with him.

I felt a wave of annoyance wash over me at the sight of Keri. She was the last person I wanted to see right now, especially after the conversation I had just had with my dad about Emily. Keri and I had too much of a sour history to ever redeem it and have a future. She was always stuck up and seemed to enjoy causing drama wherever she went. I had no interest in catching up with her.

"Thanks for inviting her, Dad, but I really need to get back to work," I said, trying to find a way to politely excuse myself.

Keri's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "Oh, come on, Dan. It's been so long since we've seen each other. Don't you want to hear about my life in New York?"

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her self-importance. "Actually, Keri, I'm really busy right now. Maybe we can catch up another time?"

My dad looked disappointed, but he didn't push the issue. "Of course, Son. You have a lot on your plate right now. We'll have to plan a family dinner soon, though. It's been too long since we've all been together."

I nodded, grateful for the escape. "Yeah, that sounds great. I'll talk to you soon, Dad."

As I left the restaurant, I couldn't help but think about Emily and what had happened between us. My heart felt heavy, but I knew I had to stay focused on work and moving on. Keri may have been a distraction, but she was the last thing I needed right now.

25

EMILY

Igot up and dressed, already dreading the day. I regretted telling my mother about the baby the instant I said it, but seeing her dressed and ready with her purse and keys out when I came out of my room for breakfast a little after nine just crushed me. She was serious about forcing me into an abortion. I let my shoulders fall and picked up a banana from the fruit basket and opened it.

“I’ve made the appointment. It is in thirty minutes, so I’m glad you’re already dressed. We’ll just have a consultation with the doctor today, but we can schedule the official appointment on Monday.” Mom’s tone was cold and uncaring. I knew she cared about me a great deal, but when it came to this, she seemed like a robot. I wasn’t sure if she’d been through something similar with her mother or something, but it was like she was on autopilot.