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“Why are you saying it like that?”

He blows out a heavy breath and meets my eyes. “Because I think we should end this.”

30

Keegan’s beautiful green eyes hold mine in shocked disbelief.

“Were you using me all this time?”

The fact that she asks that tears my heart further in two.

“No. How could you even—” I cut myself off because I was using her, wasn’t I? Whether it felt that way or not, I was using her with Fen. I was using her name to make my own look better. I’m the worst sort of man, and I need to stop hurting the ones I love.

“Then why?”

I laugh but it falls flat, lifeless, dead. Exactly how I feel. “Because your name should not be mixed up with mine. This is going to be bad for me, Keegan. It could quite literally rip my world in two, and you shouldn’t have yours do the same.”

“So you’re breaking up with me for my own good?”

“Keegan, I…” Words fail me. I’ve been thinking about it the entire flight home, but with that video out... she’ll be fine. She has her family, and they’ll protect her as they do. And she’s strong. She’s gotten over lovers before.

“God, why are men so stupid?”

“Stupid?!”

“Yes. Stupid. You don’t just end a relationship like that. You’re scared,” she accuses, wiping at the emotion staining her cheeks.

“Of course I’m bloody scared,” I half-yell, only to temper my voice. “Some deranged psycho is intentionally trying to ruin me. Ruin my son’s life and ruin yours. They want to hurt me, and the only way I can think to stop them from hurting you more is to distance us. They’re not physically violent, but what if that’s next?”

“I don’t accept your breakup.”

“What?” It comes out as an incredulous burst of air.

“I appreciate you’re trying to be noble or whatever, but I don’t accept.” She folds her arms defiantly.

“And if I don’t give you the choice?”

“Do you love me?” she asks plainly, her eyes brimming with fresh tears, and I can’t handle them. I can’t see her falling apart at my hands. I want to fix this for all of us, and I’m trying to, but she’s making it so damn impossible.

“More than anything,” I tell her because I can’t lie. I can’t say no. I just fucking can’t. Even if maybe I should.

“Awesome. I love you too, so how about we stop this bullshit and figure it out together?”

I hold Fen, who’s still fussing slightly, tighter against my chest. “His grandparents could come out and contest this. They could try to claim him and take him from me. Hell, it could be them who set all this up. I will no doubt lose this movie and others. Things could get very bad. You understand that, right? Very bad. Please, I can’t bear what this will do to you too.”

“Uh, tough shit?” She shrugs.

Now I do laugh. “Tough shit?”

“Yep.” She pops the P sound. “TFB. How’s that?”

“I don’t know what that means.” I’m trying not to smile, but it’s coming on anyway.

“Too fucking bad. That’s what it means.” Her hands fly wildly about. “Stop with the extra drama. We already have enough of that going on. If you love me, then understand I’m stronger than I look, and I know not only what I want but how to take care of myself.”

“I know you’re strong. I never doubted that. But what if…” I choke. “What if this is just the start?”

“Then I’ll handle it like the grown-ass woman I am. But you’re not breaking up with me, so get over it.”