Chapter 3

After taking two days to rest at home and let my leg heal, I went back to work as usual.

What I didn't expect was that when I got home from work, I would find Adrian standing in my house, holding the baby.

The moment he saw me, a smug smile spread across his face. "Mr. Ford, you're back. Rowena was worried I wouldn't be able to take care of Theo properly after being discharged from the hospital, so she brought us here."

My eyes locked onto the pajamas he was wearing, and I clenched my jaw. "Take that off. Who said you could touch my clothes?"

Adrian set Theo down to the side and walked toward me, the smile on his face growing even wider. "Rowena did. And it won't stop at your clothes. I'm going to take everything you have!"

The second he finished speaking, he swung a fist at my face.

I immediately raised my hand and retaliated, but he flew backward from the force of my punch.

"Mr. Ford, I didn't mean to wear your clothes," he said, raising his voice. "Please don't be mad. I'll give them back right now..."

As he spoke, he yanked the shirt off himself, revealing his bare chest to me.

Theo was startled and began wailing as well.

After a moment of shock, I quickly realized that he had set me up.

But before I could say a single word, Rowena pushed open the door and rushed in. The moment she saw this, she shoved me aside.

"Justin, when did you become this cruel? How could you lay your hands on a baby?"

Rowena carefully picked Theo up. Then, she picked up the shirt and draped it over Adrian's shoulders.

Adrian leaned against her shoulder, looking utterly aggrieved. "Rowena, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have worn Mr. Ford's clothes. Please don't blame him for this."

His words only stoked her anger as she glared at me and snapped, "I'm the one who permitted Adrian to wear your clothes. If you have a problem, take it up with me!"

The way she defended him without even getting the full picture was utterly disappointing.

I tamped down the bitterness rising in my chest and snarled, "This is my house! What gives you the right to bring him here? What gives you the right to let him wear my clothes?"

Rowena helped Adrian to his feet, then looked at me and said, "Adrian can't take care of the baby by himself, so I brought them back here so I could look after all of you together. I've already been more than considerate of you.

"His clothes got dirty while he was taking care of Theo, so I just grabbed one of yours for him. I had no idea you were such a petty, small-minded man. If you can't stand them, then I'm taking them and leaving!

"Stay here and think about what you've done. When you've thought it through, apologize to Adrian. Otherwise, don't expect me to marry you!"

With that, she left with Adrian and Theo.

Her angry accusations kept echoing in my ears. The second the door shut, all the strength drained out of me, and I collapsed onto the floor.

I wasn't planning to marry her anymore anyway.

A month later, I changed into a custom suit, got into the car with Clara, and headed for the reception hall.

On the way there, I received a message from Rowena. "It's already been a month. You should've reflected by now. We're celebrating Theo's one-month milestone today. Get a gift, bring it over in person, and I'll consider it your apology."

I smiled, took a selfie with the groom's boutonniere pinned to my chest, and texted her back. "I'm busy getting married today."