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Dropping back into the kitchen seat, Blue covered her face with her hands and cried. Her body was shaking as she rocked slightly in the chair and sobbed uncontrollably. I wanted to cradle her in my arms, I wanted to reassure her that everything would be alright.

I just couldn't.

The anger I felt outweighed any compassion that was hiding inside. She had kept this from me for years, she had hid a child—my child,and all because her father hated me.

“I'm sorry, Jayden, I really am so sorry.” Tears fell like wilting petals from her cheeks. I watched the drops as they splashed on the floor and disappeared through the cracks in the wood.

“I think you should go.”

Lifting her big doe eyes up to meet mine, she had this look of panic on her face. “But—”

“Just go, Blue, I can't do this right now.” Looking away, all I wanted was for her to leave. My anger was turning into rage, it was starting to rise like a flooded river, moving up through my chest like boiling water.

“Jayden, don't do this, let's talk—”

Snapping my face back in her direction, I snarled. “Go home, Blue.” I was trying so damn hard to not scream at her, to not let her see this side of me, but the longer she was there, the harder it was getting to hold it in. I just needed some time to myself to let this all sink in.

I knew it wasn't her choice in the beginning, and I could understand why she never told me at first. But after she turned eighteen, when her father no longer held the leash to tug his daughter along behind him, why didn't she come find me?

It was like no one stepped back and thought about me or about the baby.

What about how I felt?

What about Bliss?

Not one person seemed to stop and think about the people this little secret would really hurt. Blue could say she was sorry all she wanted, but that didn't mean I had the space in my heart to forgive her just yet.

Blue got up from the table, her eyes red and swollen as endless tears rolled down her cheeks. Walking to the door, she opened it with one hand, and turned to look at me one last time over her shoulder.

Clenching my jaw, I stood with my arms crossed over my chest and hate flowing through my body. I hated that she didn't tell me she was pregnant that day at her home when we were kids. I hated that she pushed me away instead of letting me help her. I hated that her father was able to keep my child from me for ten years.

I hate that I waited this long to come back.

And as I watched Blue walk out that door, I wondered if it would be the last time I would see her.

No, I'll see her again. And I'll see my daughter too.

I did want to make things right, I did want to go see Bliss and hold my flesh and blood in my arms. I did want a family—my family. . .

I was done staying away, I was back for good.

Because now. . .I'm claiming what's mine.