5. How Dare You?

Tatiana

My hands trembled as I rang the doorbell of Hunter's house. I had never felt such white-hot rage.

After I unleashed my wrath on McKenna, she finally gave up his address even though I could tell she didn't want to at all. After everything I've done for this girl, she was trying to protect that bastard Hunter? Why!?

I kept ringing the bell until the heavy oak door swung open. A woman stood there, staring at me. Her eyes narrowed as she looked me up and down. I must look insane.

But I didn't give a shit what this old bitch thought of me now. She must be one of his fancy servants. People like Hunter Brooks had plenty of those around here.

Stupid, rich assholes.

"Hunter. Where is he?" I snarled.

The lines on her forehead deepened. "I am sorry, Miss. But who are you? Mr. Brooks doesn't see anyone without an appointment."

"I don't give a fuck! Where is he!"

The door slammed shut in my face.

How dare this woman?

I pounded my fists on the door, refusing to give up. "Hunter!"

The door creaked open again.

I pushed past the old woman into the foyer. No way was I groveling for a piece of shit like Hunter Brooks.

"Wait...ma'am!" I heard the woman yell behind me, but I kept going.

I marched through the huge foyer and down a long hallway. I looked around. His house was even nicer inside.

Typical...

I flung open a door. Hunter stood facing the window, nuzzling a glass of whiskey.

His mouth dropped open when he saw me.

"Tati. Uh..."

"How dare you?" I nearly shrieked, my body shaking with rage.

His lips curled into a small smile. He shook his head. "I think I know what this is about," he said slowly but with purpose.

"You're damn right you do! I came here to tell you to stay the hell away from my daughter!" I cried.

His eyebrows quirked up. "Tatiana. Why don't you sit down, and we can talk? This is about McKenna's little visit, right? We can sit down and discuss this calmly like adults."

"No way! I don't want to talk to you. I haven't had the desire to speak to you for eighteen years, and I do not...now," I breathed. My chest was heaving as if I had just run a marathon, and my mind reeled. How could he look so calm when there was a storm going on inside me?

It had been more than a decade since our eyes last met, yet his presence still made me feel like I was electrified. The years have truly been kind to him. He looked even better than a bottle of vintage wine.

Curse him and his sharp jaw and dreamy blue eyes.

"Tatiana," he said slowly with a tight jaw. "I don't understand why you are so angry at me. I didn't seek out your daughter. McKenna showed up at my doorstep and announced I was her father. I tried to convince her that there was no way that was true, but she wouldn't listen to me. She seemed to be stubborn, just like you."

My face twisted. "I don't care what she told you. You must've said something to her to make her believe you were the father. Now, she won't listen to my reasons."

He groaned. "I understand that you hate me, Tati. You have a right to your feelings. But give me a break."

I didn't speak for a moment.

Okay, I will admit. I may have overreacted just a tiny bit. Hunter was a lot of things, but he wasn't a complete liar. If he said he didn't encourage McKenna, he didn't.

Hunter sighed and ran his hand through his hair. At that moment, I felt a slight twinge of pity for him. I never told him anything about being pregnant, so he couldn't have known.

And McKenna...well, she was a smart girl. I shouldn't be surprised that she figured things out on her own.

I could tell that this was taking an emotional toll on him, but what could I do? For now, all I cared about was my daughter. I had to protect her.

I quickly broke the silence and said sternly, "Just don't come near McKenna again." My voice sounded a bit softer this time around.

"Is she my daughter, Tatiana?" he asked.

"No!" I denied.

"Tati," said Hunter, walking closer to me, "are you sure?" He touched my face.

I could feel my heart pounding against my chest as I stood there, unable to answer him. We were standing in his living room, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off his body, his finger brushing against my cheek, and yet it felt like he was too far apart for me to truly reach him.

My mind was too preoccupied with all the thoughts swirling about me like a whirlpool. Memories of us before we separated flashed before my eyes, pictures of laughter and joy. I remembered our late-night conversations, where we would talk until the sun began to rise, discussing anything and everything that came to mind.

He broke the silence first, his voice gentle yet firm. "Tatiana? What do you really want from me?"

I could feel my body trembling, my thoughts a tangled web as I tried to come up with an answer that wouldn't be a lie.

I wanted the old us back. But at the same time, I was scared of the future. I knew we could never be together again. So I just looked at him, my lips pursed together, my eyes locked on his.

After what seemed an eternity of thinking, I finally murmured quietly:

"What do I want you to do? Just stay away." With that, I turned to my heels and walked away. I had to run out of there quickly because I didn't want him to see me cry. I vowed never to shed another tear over him again.