Page 122 of Between Secrets and Obsession

I groan again.

Once I’ve fixed my jeans and smoothed my shirt, I walk to the front door and open it.

I’ve dealt with some crap in my life, a lot of fugitive bastards too, but this next-level bullshit is something I hadn’t seen coming. Victoria already tilted my world, but this—she just fucking flipped it upside down and shook it like a snow globe.

“Dad.” I swallow the lump in my throat. “Victoria.” I step forward to give my dad a side hug. “What’re you two doing here?”

“Sweetheart…” Victoria moves closer and kisses my cheek, wearing the fakest smile on her face. “We came to surprise you!”

“I see that…” I keep my tone light. “Come in.”

My dad walks into the entryway, but I take Victoria’s elbow, pulling her to me.

“What the fuck are you doing here with him?” I whisper-hiss in her ear. “Keep him out of this.”

“Liam,” my dad says, grabbing my attention as I follow him into the living room. Maddie’s about to get blindsided as fuck, and I only hope she’ll forgive me for this when I get the chance to explain.

“Why didn’t you let me know you got married?” He looks hurt, and I don’t blame him. We aren’t super close, but getting hitched is something I would’ve told him, especially since I stopped in to visit a few weeks ago.

“It was an unexpected event, Dad.” I narrow my gaze at Victoria when he looks around the room. “I thought I was coming to you,honey. Why didn’t you give me a heads-up?”

She flutters her long dark lashes at me. Maddie stands, wide-eyed and nervous.

“I wanted to meet your family! Plus, I thought it’d be better to tell him in person that he’s gonna be a grandpa!”

Victoria pulls the rug out from under me, making it impossible to react.

Maddie’s face tells me she’s about to be sick. Or stab me. I’m seconds away from saying fuck it and running to comfort her.

“What?” My dad gasps. “Really?”

“Yep,” I reply tight-lipped. My father is beaming with pride as Victoria gives him a big hug. When did she have the time to butter him up?

“Liam, this is great news!” I haven’t seen him this happy in ages.

“I knew you’d be excited, Mr. Evans.” Victoria is playing the wife role perfectly. I only wish Maddie wasn’t here for this shitshow.

“This sounds like a personal moment, excuse me.” Maddie walks out of the living room while Victoria chats with my father. Maddie goes to her room, and I quickly follow her.

“Baby, wait…” I beg quietly. “I’m so, so sorry. I have no idea why she’s here, but I’m gonna get her out as soon as I can.” I reach for her, but she pulls away. “Maddie, this is just a part of her game and to gain control.” Getting my dad involved adds another level of threat, and I’m pissed.

She crosses her arms, taking another step back. “You don’t seem surprised about the pregnancy.”

I lower my head, inhaling a deep breath. “Mads.”

“You knew.” Her voice chokes up. “You’ve been lying to me.”

“No, no.” I shake my head. “No.”

“How could you not tell me? Did you just think it would go away? You got her pregnant! And you’re sleeping with me!”

“It’s not like that, Maddie. Calm down.” I plead with my eyes, not wanting to raise my voice. “I wasn’t gonna sayanything until I knew one hundred percent. I asked for a paternity test.”

She shakes her head, fury burning in her face. “You’re a piece of shit. You wanted to have your cake and eat it too. You wanted to pretend nothing was going on and just used me as a distraction.”

I growl, pain burning inside my chest. “How can you even say that?”

Before she can answer, Victoria’s high heels click behind me. “There you two are! I was just about to tell your dad our exciting news!”