Chapter 35
35 –He Wants His Son Now
Madeline:
“Are they okay?” Baxter asked.
I walked out of the kids‘ room and headed toward the terrace where he was waiting.
“They’re taking a nap, ” I replied tiredly.
I could only imagine the pain the other mothers were feeling, especially those who had no idea how to get help for their children.
“We’ll find a cure. Don’t worry,” Baxter said, trying to comfort me even though we had no idea how we were going to do that.
“Don’t you think we’re a little late? It’s been days, and all we’re doing is interviewing the kids, making them relive the dreams and then what?” I asked hesitantly as my eyes filled with tears. “I nearly had a heart attack seeing my daughter like that p>
“And then we’ll put all the pieces together and figure out what’s going on. I’m sure the dreams play an important role in this illness,” Baxter reassured me, leaning back slightly against the railing of the balcony with his arms folded across his chest.
It was a small balcony with a view of the mountains and the buildings beyond.
“I don’t know, Baxter. My kids are my everything. Just the thought of them in pain is killing me,” I said, gripping the railing tighter as I tried to hold back my tears.
Baxter stood across from me with his arms still folded while I faced the mountains.
“I know, ” he replied softly. “And I’m really sorry for what I said the other day. You’ve done an amazing job raising them. They’re great kids p>
Hearing Baxter say that made me turn my head toward him.
“I mean it,” he continued. “You’re a good mother. You came back to the place you never wanted to return to–all for your kids,” he added, trying to lighten the tense atmosphere with a faint smile.
“About our earlier disagreement, I’m sorry if I made you feel a certain way by dating your sister,” he you were gone, and she was really there for me p>
He kept mentioning her, and my body twitched. Still, I forced myself to act indifferent.
“It’s okay. I’m not mad that you’re dating her,” I said, lying through clenched teeth.
I didn’t want him to break up with her. It was their life, and what’s done was done.
e began. “But
He had already made it clear that she meant a lot to him. As for me, I’d been through the pain alone. I guess there was no going back to our friendship anymore.
“Actually, for what it’s worth, I’m reassuring you, she’s changed,” he added.
Once again, he brought up how different she was now. I didn’t know why it angered me so much every time he
said that.
Maybe because he never faced her cruelty or her bullying. I was the one who did. So every time he spoke like he understood, it hit a nerve.
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But I ignored it.
“I’m not asking you to break up with her,” I said quickly.
I must have sounded sharper than I meant to, because he shot back just as fast.
“I’m not breaking up with her either. In fact, I’m getting engaged to her,” he stated.
I turned my head, staring at him in silence.
“I thought you guys were already engaged,” I asked, and he shook his head.
“I used to call her my fiancée, but she’s just my girlfriend. For the past few months, we’ve been planning an engagement ceremony,” he explained, glancing away. His head was down, and he only lifted his eyes slightly to gauge my reaction.
“Well then, congratulations,” I replied, and the bitterness slipped through.
“Will you be a part of the engagement if we invite you?” he asked.
It was like every time I thought there might be a little hope, just a small chance that any of these alphas could act reasonably, they proved me wrong. They were all idiots.
“No, Baxter. You have my wishes, but that’s it,” I stated bitterly, crossing my arms over my chest.
“I don’t understand why you’re acting this way. I mean, I’d want my child to be a part of my engagement,” Baxter said.
And then it slipped out of his mouth. My head snapped toward him.
“Just repeat that one more time. I guess I didn’t hear you right,” I demanded, almost like a challenge.
He tilted his head slightly, shaking it in disbelief.
“Oh my God, Baxter, you’re just unbelievable!” I hissed, emotions rushing back as we started arguing again.
“What? I don’t care about the rules you made!” he fired back, unfolding his arms and straightening his back as his voice rose. “What the hell does that even mean–that I can’t call my child
my child p>
“Because you never wanted the child! You were the dne who was going to offer me a lady to help with an abortion. What the hell do you mean you want to be called a daddy?” I screamed at Baxter.
His eyes widened, anger filling them. He wasn’t just offended, he was shocked that I was questioning him.
‘Because I want to be a part of my boy’s life! I don’t care what I said in the past!” he shouted, making my mouth fall open.
“No, that’s not going to happen. That’s never going to happen! You didn’t want the baby. You hated the idea of being a father!” I yelled back
The wind suddenly began to whip across our faces. He had the same furious look I was sure I had on mine.
“You came to us suggesting that one of us was the father, you weren’t even sure which one! How did you expect an alpha to feel about that? I wasn’t even certain the baby was mine! And then I told you the final choice would be yours!” he shouted.
I was ready to hit him back. I had replayed that whole conversation so many times over the years that I remembered every word.
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“And you said the decision was mine but that you’d never give the baby your name. The same name you’re crying, over now,” I fired back.
The guilt on his face was immediate. His shoulders relaxed, his arms twitched, and his eyes lowered for a few seconds before he looked at me again.
“Well, I lied, okay? I wanted to be a part of the baby’s life,” he hissed, his hands on his waist again as he faced me.
“It’s too late for that,” I muttered.
As my voice lowered, his hands slipped from his waist.
“I want to be a part of his life, Madeline. I want to be.” This time, he didn’t shout. He spoke softly.
“Well, sadly, there’s another person in your life who didn’t want the kid to live. And I don’t care how many times you say she’s changed. As a mother, I have every right to keep my child safe. And since I’m not even here permanently, I don’t know what you expect thinking you could be part of Bodhi’s life,” I said quietly.
A single tear slid down my cheek.
Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.