Chapter 8 Does it change anything?

RILEY

I froze. Killian’s sharp gaze bore into me, and my heart rate spiked. My pulse must have been thrumming like a hummingbird’s wing beneath his large hand.

“It doesn’t matter now,” I replied, swallowing the lump in my throat as I tried to pull away.

Killian released me without resistance, but he rose from his chair, stepping closer until he stood directly in front of me.

At five-six, I was about average in size, but he was a mountain in comparison.

“I have the right to ask,” he countered. “Just like you had the right to give birth without my knowledge. Answer my question, Riley. Did you even try to get in touch with me after that night?”

His question sent another pang of irritation through me, not just because of his sarcastic tone, but because it forced me to relive what had happened.

Why did he care? Why was it even important to him?

The day the pregnancy test came back positive, I had been disoriented and dazed. I had been in my final year of college, and the sudden pregnancy had thrown my entire life into disarray.

I hadn’t known what to do, so I’d summoned all my courage before calling him.

I hadn’t even expected him to take responsibility. I’d simply hoped that the man who had once shared a passion night with me could offer me some comfort, advice, or even just a little help.

What did I get in return?

“Yes, I called you,” I finally retorted, iciness creeping into my tone. “Are you happy now? Does it change anything?”

Killian frowned.

“I really don’t understand why you keep harping on this,” I continued. “It has nothing to do with what Dominic needs right now, does it? Like you said back at your office, we don’t have time to reminisce about the past or what did or didn’t happen.”

He didn’t reply, and I didn’t bother waiting for a response. I had already given far too much of my energy to him . I barely had enough to spare as it was.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me,” I said, turning on my heel. “I need to get back to him.”

To my relief, Killian didn’t follow me.

When I returned to Domi’s room, I was surprised to find Dale playing with him. Domi dissolved into a fit of giggles as he watched in delight while Dale performed a “magic trick” with a little toy car.

Hannah watched the scene with suspicion and disapproval, her dark eyes locked on him like a predator biding its time. Petite as she was, my best friend possessed a formidable presence. No man could make her back down, and Dale was no exception.

Jason was nowhere to be seen, though his presence made no difference to me. I still didn’t understand why Killian’s employees had accompanied him, but as far as I was concerned, the towering men were inconsequential.

I sat in the chair beside Hannah and released a quiet, unintentional sigh.

“Men are exhausting,” I mumbled.

She rubbed my back soothingly.

“Tell me about it,” she agreed. “That’s why I don’t even bother anymore.”

I closed my eyes, trying to relax under her ministrations.

“You look exhausted,” Hannah said.

“I feel exhausted,” I confirmed, running a hand through my hair. “And disgusting. I need a shower and like six months of hibernation.”

“Well, I’m not sure hibernation is on the table, but a shower and a nap would probably do you some good,” she replied with concerned kindness. “Maybe you should go home and get some rest.”

I shook my head. “I just got back from dealing all that crap. Ignore me, I’m just venting.”

“If anyone has any right to vent, it’s definitely you, Riles,” Hannah insisted. “You’ve been through so much. It would be hard for anyone to handle.”

“Yeah, but at least I’m not sick and in pain,” I said softly, my eyes returning to Domi.

Hannah sighed and scooted her chair closer.

“I know you’re going to argue with me, but I think you should step away for a bit tonight. Even if it’s just for a few hours. Spinning your wheels is only going to make things harder for you down the line. Domi needs you to be sharp, and that means you need sleep. Otherwise, you’re going to crash sooner or later and collapse right here in one of these lousy hospital chairs.”

“But Domi – ”

“I’ve got Domi handled,” Hannah interrupted my protest. “Seriously, I’m off all day tomorrow with nothing else to do. Let me take over the watch for a while so you can get some rest. ”

I hesitated.  

“Trust me, I’ll keep a hawk’s eye on Domi,” Hannah said, casting a wary glance at Dale. “None of these bastard is going to mess with him. That’s both a threat and a promise.”

A reluctant smile crossed my face.

“That’s the spirit,” my best friend encouraged. She gave my shoulder a squeeze and then nodded toward the door. “Go on. Just make sure your ringer is on. If anything comes up, I promise I’ll call you. And don’t go running off to the middle of nowhere again, yeah?”

I exhaled a laugh. “Yeah, don’t worry. I won’t be going back out there anytime soon.”

I looked at Domi. Hannah was right. I desperately needed some sleep, and I knew he would be in good hands with her.

“Fine,” I said, fidgeting with my beaded bracelet. “I’ll leave once Domi falls asleep.”

Satisfied, Hannah nodded in approval.

***

When night fell, I left the hospital and took a short cab ride to my apartment.

Killian hadn’t returned before I left, nor had the stone-faced Jason, but I was too tired to care about where they’d gone.

My apartment was in a noisy part of the city and nothing special.

In fact, even calling it that was a bit of a stretch. The building was old, with thin, dilapidated walls. Rent was much cheaper than elsewhere, but there was a reason for that.

The place always smelled of dampness, and the facilities were outdated and rarely maintained. Our apartment had only one bedroom, which Dominic and I shared, along with a tiny kitchen and an even smaller bathroom. I knew that once Domi got a little older, I’d need to find somewhere more spacious, but for now, this was all I could afford.

Hannah had suggested we move in with her, but I had declined.

I’d already caused her enough trouble. She had her own life, and she had already done more than enough to help.

As I stepped inside my apartment, I tried to observe my surroundings with an impartial eye. I caught myself sighing.

As much as I hated to admit it, at least part of what Killian had said…was true. My financial situation was dire, and I’m afraid it’s unlikely to improve anytime soon.

Not to mention the looming hospital bills.

The basic insurance I had bought for Dominic likely wouldn’t cover his treatment costs, and my savings were practically nonexistent. I’d dropped out of college shortly before my due date, so I had an unfinished degree.

I could only work part time because day care was too expensive. And even then, the jobs I worked rarely paid well and offered little stability.

Even taking these two days away from my part-time waitressing job was going to put me in a difficult position. After all, I was already stretched thin as it was.

I kicked off my shoes and lay down on the leather couch I’d bought secondhand years ago.

The living room was scattered with Dominic’s toys, as well as the decorations from his birthday. I hadn’t even had a chance to put them away yet, and now…

My vision blurred. It’s hard to believe so much had changed in such a short time.

Had it not been for my exhaustion, I would have spent the whole night crying.

But the moment that I pulled a blanket over myself, I slipped into a deep, dreamless sleep.