Page 196 of Accidental Theirs

The sunshine streams over the lovely, three-bedroom house, illuminating the windows.

It’s beautiful here, and if I can’t figure out my life here, I may not be able to do it at all.

I spend two days at the cabin, just reading and lazing around in bed. I think about Dominic. I think about how he left me broken and sobbing. I think about whether or not I can forgive him.

I think about Damien. How desperately he wants this baby, wants a family.

I think about Sebastian. How much he loved Sophie. How afraid he is of opening his heart.

It takes forty-eight hours and a lot of crying before Icome to a decision. I just don’t know how I’m going to tell them.

Because the thing is, I have to walk away. There’s no way I can continue like this. I’ll want them all, no matter what happens, so I have to take this baby and leave town. It’s the only way to make them all happy.

When I turn my phone back on I have several calls and a tearful voicemail from Dominic. He thinks I’ve rejected him, and I feel terrible.

I’ll have to talk to him, but first, I’m going to do what he suggested. I need some alone time with Damien and Sebastian.

The road back from the cabin is closer to Damien’s place, and that’s the only reason I head there first.

I take a shaking breath as I ring his doorbell.

Chapter Forty-Five

DAMIEN

SeeingOlivia in my doorway sends a rush of relief and love over me, and I can’t help but draw her into my arms, kissing the top of her head.

“Olivia, you’re back!” I swing her around, squeezing her, and she squeals, making me put her down.

“I was only gone two days.”

“Felt like forever. Dominic’s been losing his mind.”

“I’ll call him later,” she says dismissively, like she’s on a mission.

I take her hand. “I want to show you something.”

She lets me lead her up to the nursery, curious, and I open the door proudly.

“It’s finally finished.”

I’ve had the walls painted again, this time rubber ducks instead of dinosaurs.

A changing table sits in the corner, and the crib is finally together and set up correctly.

“Thought dinosaurs would be too masculine. If she’s a girl, she might be scared,” I explain, and Olivia makes a sound that I think is a laugh at first.

But when I look at her, tears are rolling down her face.

“Oh, Damien. It’s... It’s perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

“Thank God. I’m tired of working on it.”

She laughs through her tears.

“I’ve been wanting to talk to you, anyway,” I tell her softly, looking into her eyes. It’s time to come clean with her. “I needed to tell you how much I care about you.”

“Damien. I know how much you care.”