yn's

-right alongside love, marriage, and relationship

round myself, brick by brick, to avoid things like this

feel the storm rising inside me as I paced the room like a lion in a c

er, close enough to feel

've gotten me into?" I demanded

he shot back, her voice clipp

hing inside me. My eyes flared, filled w

about. I'll take care of my baby by myse

erything I've worked for? To let you stain my rep

She looked weak, almost dizzy. She probably hadn't eaten. And des

ide," I said, backing off slightly. "Unt

surprised by m

ed at h

the baby?" I

ree days," she a

slowly, ca

e..." I leaned in, my voice turning cold, "I swear to you, I'll

, she squared her shoulders

ob back-and you'll step up as a father to

othing. J

ah," I

quickly, profe

Make sure she's comfortable,"

omen staying in my house, let alone bringing a baby into it. Bu

-

House

a drink in hand. His face was expressionless, but I knew him

mama," I muttered, arms fo

look at me. Just

that baby is mine. Who drops a child on som

d stood up, shoving his

. "You're scared to be a father. The fact that you remember sleeping

w, my smirk hidin

ftened, but his

oned you and your mom. Are you really goin

id no

us became a wall, t

ued, more

ought the only way was to drop the baby where she'd be

wasn't that kind of man. But nothing c

I think she's giving you a chance to do the

ing me standing alone, grappling

-

omi'

e. My chest tightened with guilt. Maybe it was

n't. Not now

pain in my life. Losing her would be lik

out Mara isn't the mothe

terrupting my thou

ecided to call,

NA report. Make sure he doesn't tamper with i

ll." I hung up and p

dong. The d

I shouted,

My heart sank. My fingers

low, eerie laugh tha

help you?"

ne of them tossed a sa

your favorite

nt it. Get o

ed at me, grabbin

u face the consequences," the t

shed. S

ose. I struggled-wriggled-but the moment t

led. Then... e

" I whispered, before

-

ck's

drowning myself in liquor, watching

st someone I loved-she was

I hat

ottle, taking a

walked in.

ttle from my hands

king won't solve anything. It won'

bled to

terly. The stench of alco

you were pregnant," I sa

I said no to your proposal because it woul

l to be standing in front of a wreck like me. But

our friend, not here w

ddenly serious. "Swear

hesit

eel nothing fo

sh, I grabbed her and

her. And at th

ood at t

kets. Eyes unread