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I lean back to look at him.
“Forgive me for what?”
“For whatever happened with Parker. You’re my one weakness, baby. I realize that now. I accept that now. And I can forgive you for anything. I will always love you no matter what. Even if the baby wasn’t mine, I’d still love you.”
What in the actual fuck?
I can’t scramble off of Hunter’s lap fast enough.
“Even if the baby isn’t yours?" I spit back at him. "You think I’m carrying another man’s child, Hunter?”
“I didn’t say that. I meant that even if it was, I’d still love you.”
“Well, that’s some fucked up shit for you then because that sounds nutballs!”
I look for my largest duffle bag and start stuffing it with whatever I find first in my dresser drawers.
“This is the thing," I tell him as I pack. "You’re supposed to be so much wiser than me, so worldly, got your shit together and all of that but you know what you really are? You’re a man who has the emotional intelligence of a child. It’s obvious you’ve never been in love before because you don’t know what the hell to do with it!”
“Sit down, Megan. We’re not going to have a repeat of what happened last time. You’re not just going to storm out of here because you heard something you didn’t like and–”
“And what? Do you think I got myself kidnapped on purpose? This is all my fault now? I’ve never been in more danger than the moment I stepped foot in your godforsaken club, and I’ve had enough. I’m out. I quit!”
I find a clean sweatsuit in my closet and put it on.
“You’ve misunderstood.”
“I think I understand you perfectly for the first time ever.”
“There’s no leaving me. There’s no quitting us. You are mine, and I am yours, and instead of running from every disagreement we have, you’re going to have to learn how to stand and fight.”
“No, I think you’ve misunderstood, Mr. Middleton. I’ve been standing and fighting for myself my entire life. You met my family, right? That’s not how I’m trying to spend the rest of my life. I want a soft life. I want peace. I want happiness. Dammit, I deserve it. And clearly, I’m not going to get any of that with you.”
“I'm not just going to let you leave, not after everything that’s happened. Your safety is–"
“Oh, be quiet. I’m going back downstairs to my apartment. You’ll know where I am. You’ll know that I’m safe. But I need some immediate distance from you.”
I tug at my engagement ring.
My fingers have started to swell because of the pregnancy, and it’s tough to get it off, but after turning it a few times, I’m able to manage.
I place it on the dresser.
My beautiful ring.
I think about the moment he gave it to me. The moment he asked the question, I'd never imagined I'd be so lucky to hear. It was such a beautiful time in our lives and it's all changed so drastically...so fast.
“The engagement is off," I say somberly.
I lift the duffle and head to the elevator.
“Taking off the ring means nothing,” he says calmly, following me to the living room. “You are still my wife in every way that matters.”
I turn to him, tears streaming down my face.
“Why would you want a wife who’s carrying another guy’s baby?”
Then, as if on cue, the elevator doors open, and I walk inside. I can’t turn around as the doors close because I know if I do, I’ll run back inside.