CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

GWEN POV

A few hours later, the doctor finally gave me the 'okay' to go home. The rules were simple: rest for a week and no sex. That last part wasn't going to be a problem. I hadn't even looked at a man since that night at the club.

I knew I had to call the school where I was student-teaching to let them know I’d be out. I just hoped "rest" meant I could still sit up in bed and do my homework. I couldn't afford to fall behind.

I felt a huge wave of relief. The baby was okay. The doctor wasn't worried. But as the relief washed away, anger took its place. I was still mad that Nolan had shown up at the hospital.

Worse, I was also confused by April. She wasn't angry or didn't even seem to care that I had slept with her father. Her only concern was that even if I didn't want to talk to him... I should let him take full responsibility for his actions.

Then there was my dad. April knew my secret, but I still hadn't officially told him. We were stuck in this awkward silence.

When it was time to leave, a nurse wheeled me out to the car. April had left already to go to class. She offered to stay, but I told her to go. Everything felt too messy, and I just needed a break from the drama.

As my father drove, he kept his eyes on the road. He was too quiet. Was he worried about the baby? Was he thinking about my mom? Or did he already know everything?

"Nolan Douglas is being very helpful," my dad said. His voice was low. He sounded suspicious.

I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the cool glass of the window. "I don't want to talk about him, Dad."

"Gwen," he said softly. "April told me she didn't actually go to the cabin over Christmas. That means you were there alone. With her father."

I let out a long, shaky breath. I couldn't lie anymore. "It’s exactly what you think."

My dad gripped the steering wheel tighter. He looked shocked, then sad. "I don't know what to say. To me, you’re still my little girl. I knew you would date eventually, but... Mr. Douglas? He’s so much older than you."

"I can't explain why it happened," I whispered. "It just did."

"If you can't talk about it, you shouldn't have done it," he said, his voice getting a bit firmer. "There is a baby involved now. You can't just hide from this. If he is the father..."

"He is," I snapped.

"Then he has a responsibility to you. And to that child."

I shook my head. "He owes me nothing. I knew what I was doing. I don't want him in my life, and I don't want him in the baby's life."

My dad frowned. "Why? Is he a bad man? Is he mean to you?"

"He's powerful, Dad. And he's rich. Do you know what he did to April’s mother? He took her child away. He got full custody. I’m scared he will do the same to me."

"Do you really think he'd do that?" my dad asked.

I thought about the night Nolan showed up at my door, smelling like whiskey, calling me names. "I think he's capable of anything."

We turned onto my street. My heart dropped. A very expensive, shiny black car was parked right in front of our house.

"Is he here?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"Yes," my dad said. He looked ashamed. "He insisted on coming over. He wanted to make sure the house was ready for you. He’s buying things for you that I can’t afford, Gwen. I didn't know how to tell him no."

I felt a sting of pity for my father. He wasn't a fighter. I reached over and squeezed his hand. "It’s okay. We’ll figure it out."

As soon as we pulled into the driveway, the car door opened. Nolan stepped out. He looked tall, polished, and completely out of place in our neighborhood. He walked over and opened my door before my dad could even get out.

He reached into the car to grab me. I pushed his hands away. "What are you doing?"

"I’m carrying you inside," he said. His voice was like gravel.

"I can walk."

"The doctor said you need rest. Did they let you walk out of the hospital?"

"No, but that's just hospital rules. I'm fine."

Nolan stepped closer, blocking the light. "Gwen, don't let your pride hurt this baby. I’m carrying you, and that’s the end of it."

"Just let him help, Gwen," my dad said from the driver's seat. I felt totally betrayed.

Nolan didn't wait. He leaned in and lifted me into his arms. I had to put my arms around his neck just so I wouldn't fall. I leaned close to his ear so my dad wouldn't hear.

"I really hate you," I hissed.

Nolan’s jaw tightened. He didn't look at me. "I know," he said.

He carried me through the front door and straight to my bedroom. He set me down on the bed gently. As soon as my feet touched the mattress, I scrambled back toward the headboard, putting distance between us.

"You can leave now," I said.

He didn't leave. He stood at the foot of the bed with his hands on his hips. He watched me for a long time.

"Look," he said finally. "I know you’re angry. I deserve it. I was a jerk to you. I said things I shouldn't have said. That’s why I'm not even mad that you tried to hide the baby from me."

"You told me to stay away from you!" I shouted. "You called me a gold digger! Why would I tell you?"

He looked down at the floor, then back at me. "I know. I was wrong. But I know now. And that means you and I are connected. Forever."

I felt tears start to fall. I covered my stomach with my hands. "I won't let you take my baby. I know what you did to April's mom."

Nolan rolled his eyes. "April’s mother didn't love her. She only wanted money. She was using a child as a paycheck. You aren't like her."

"You didn't think that a week ago," I reminded him.

"I was wrong," he said again. He sighed deeply. "We don't have to fix everything today. You need sleep. Do you need water? Are you hungry?"

"I just want you to go," I said. I laid down and turned my back to him.

I waited. I heard him standing there for a full minute. Then, I heard the floorboards creak as he finally walked away.

His words stayed in my head: You and I are connected. I hated him. But how was I supposed to raise a child with a man I couldn't stand to look at?