6
New York, Mia
My breath got stuck in my throat when I saw Sebastian in front of me, dressed in his impeccable business attire. There was no doubt in my mind that he was probably one of the most good-looking men I knew. His sharp features, chiseled jawline, and piercing blue eyes had always left me feeling somewhat breathless, and today was no exception.
“Can I help you with something?” I managed to stammer out, though I didn’t even need to ask because I knew exactly what he was here for. My eyes involuntarily drifted down to the envelope in his hand, and anxiety twisted my stomach into knots.
Sebastian cocked his eyebrow at me, a trademark expression of his, and then looked past me into the living room where Kieran and Bella were sheepishly looking at him. Their guilt was practically written all over their faces. “I got interrupted in a meeting,” Sebastian began, his tone carrying a mix of annoyance and frustration as he pushed me aside and walked into the room. Rude, I thought, but said nothing.
“To learn that I will become a father,” he continued, his voice dripping with sarcasm. I turned around to look at him, my heart pounding in my chest. This wasn’t how I had imagined breaking the news to him, but it seemed fate had other plans.
Sebastian put his hand on his hips, his gaze locked onto me, and he continued, “Are you trying to baby trap me?” The accusation hung heavily in the air, and I felt my face flush with a mix of embarrassment and anger.
“Sebastian, it’s not what you think,” I tried to explain, my voice quivering. “I didn’t plan for this to happen. It’s just that…” I trailed off, not knowing how to put into words the complicated situation that had led us to this point.
“It’s just that what?” Sebastian asked, his frustration palpable as he placed the envelope on the coffee table. “Do you want money? Is that what it comes down to?”
My anger flared up, and it felt like imaginary steam was coming from my ears. “Listen here, you jerk,” I said, my voice sharp, but I got interrupted by Sebastian once again.
“This jerk will be the father of your child,” he seethed, his words dripping with irritation.
“Don’t get so full of yourself,” I replied, equally annoyed. “I thought I was infertile. It was written in my doctor’s file that I was infertile, but apparently, I wasn’t the problem. My ex was. So I’m sorry that it led to this situation, and I don’t expect you to be part of it.”
Sebastian let out a bitter laugh, not the comforting type of laugh but a rather unsettling one. “What do you see me as? A deadbeat father?!” he exclaimed, his voice filled with a mix of anger and hurt. He then turned his gaze towards Kieran. “Is that what you see me as?”
Kieran met Sebastian’s stare with a stern expression. “I just want what’s best for my sister and her baby,” he said firmly, making it clear that his concern was genuine.
Sebastian clenched his teeth, his frustration apparent. “Our baby,” he corrected, his tone softer but still laced with tension. It was clear that he was grappling with a whirlwind of emotions, and I couldn’t blame him entirely. This situation had blindsided all of us.
Sebastian picked up the envelope from the table, his expression unreadable as he examined it for a moment. His eyes then shifted to all of us in the room, his gaze unwavering. “Make this clear in your mind,” he said, his voice firm. “I’ll be part of this baby’s life whether you all like it or not.”
With a swift motion, he tore the envelope into four pieces, the paper fragments scattering across the living room. It was a symbolic gesture, one that left us all momentarily stunned. I watched as he turned his attention to me, his gaze piercing. “How many weeks are you?” he asked, his tone surprisingly gentle.
“Almost six,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. The torn pieces of paper fluttered around us, a stark reminder of the unexpected turn our lives had taken.
Sebastian nodded, his features softening as he seemed to absorb the reality of the situation. “When is your next doctor’s appointment?” he inquired, his interest in the details of my pregnancy surprising me.
“In three weeks,” I replied, still trying to process his sudden involvement.
“Give me your phone,” he said, extending his hand. I looked at him, confused by his request. “What?” I asked, needing clarification.
“Give me your phone,” he repeated, his patience wearing thin. Uncertain but willing to comply, I handed him my phone, watching as he swiftly typed something. He handed it back to me, and I saw that he had saved his number in my contacts. “When the appointment is due, give me a heads-up,” he instructed, his voice carrying a hint of concern that caught me off guard.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.
I nodded, my heart still racing from the whirlwind of emotions and actions that had transpired in such a short time. I couldn’t believe that he was here, that he was interested in being a part of this journey. It was a lot to take in, and my mind was racing with a million questions.
Kieran stepped forward, his protective instincts in full force. “Don’t even think of hurting my sister,” he warned, his gaze locked onto Sebastian. “She’s been through a lot.”
Sebastian studied Kieran for a moment, his expression serious. “Don’t worry about that,” he replied, his words carrying a weight of sincerity that reassured me.
And with that, Sebastian walked out of the room just as swiftly as he had entered, leaving us all in a state of shock and uncertainty.
After Sebastian’s abrupt exit, there was a moment of stunned silence in the living room. The torn envelope lay scattered on the floor as a reminder of the unexpected turn of events that had just unfolded before us. It was Bella who first broke the silence with her enthusiastic outburst.
“That was so hot!” she squealed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Ahh, I’m going to be the best aunt for your little baby!”
Kieran couldn’t help but react to her exuberance with a playful slap on the back of her head. “We’re all in distress, and you’re acting all giddy,” he chided her.
Bella rubbed the back of her head, pretending to pout for a moment before breaking into a wide grin. “What is there not to like?” she exclaimed, her enthusiasm undiminished. “A baby is a blessing. And the fact that the baby is going to be a Thornton. Holy shit, the baby is already winning in life!”
Her words, while lighthearted, carried a hint of truth. It was hard not to feel a glimmer of hope and excitement amidst the chaos of the situation. The idea of bringing a child into the world was a profound one, and the fact that it would bear the Thornton name added an extra layer of significance to the moment.
A faint smile appeared on my face as I listened to Bella’s infectious enthusiasm. She had a point; this child, regardless of the circumstances, was indeed a blessing. However, deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this journey would be far from easy. There would be challenges, obstacles, and uncertainties that we couldn’t predict.
Kieran, ever the pragmatic one, took a deep breath and looked at me with concern in his eyes. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice gentle. “This is a lot to take in, and I want to make sure you’re alright.”
I appreciated his concern and nodded, though my emotions were still a whirlwind. “I’m okay, Kieran,” I replied softly. “It’s just… everything happened so quickly. I never expected Sebastian to react this way.”
Kieran sighed and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, offering a reassuring embrace. “None of us did,” he said. “But we’re in this together, and we’ll figure it out as we go along. You don’t have to do this alone.”