Page 152 of The Baby Twist

“Fake wife.” He pointed at me.

“She stormed out of the penthouse last night after we argued. I told her I didn’t want kids, and she told me I didn’t have to worry about it.”

“What did she mean by that?” he asked.

“She said I’ve been manipulated and emotionally abandoned my whole life, and she doesn’t want that for her child. Can you fucking believe that?”

“What? That she doesn’t want that for her kid?”

“No. That I’ve been manipulated and emotionally abandoned.”

“Well, she does speak the truth.” He sipped his coffee. “Listen, Miles. I’ve known you since we were kids. Your father was never around because Bradshaw Capital was his life. The same went for your mother. And I think she realized what they’d done to you. That’s why she did what she did before she passed away.”

“Before I found out Stella was pregnant, I took her to dinner last night to tell her the good news about my company. I told her I would deposit the rest of the money in her account and have the annulment papers drawn up for us to sign.”

“I’m going to ask you something, and I want an honest answer. You already know you can’t bullshit me, Miles. Do you love her? Are you in love with her?”

“I don’t know.” I turned my head and stared out the window. “I don’t even know what love is, Levi.”

Our waitress walked over with our food and asked if we needed anything else.

“Two bourbons, neat,” Levi said.

He stared at me with a sympathetic look.

“I know I think about her first thing in the morning, and she’s the last thing on my mind at night. She hadn’t been feeling well, and I was concerned.”

“Well, now you know why she wasn’t feeling well. She’s pregnant and probably has morning sickness.”

I cocked my head at him. “That explains why she left my bed in the mornings before I woke up.”

Our waitress brought over our bourbons and set them in front of us.

“Thank you,” I said, picking up the glass.

“Listen, Miles. This is exactly what your mother and uncle were talking about. You don’t know how to live life outside of your work.”

“That is not true!” I threw back my bourbon.

“Yes, it is. Yeah, back in the day, we partied too much. We would go out, get drunk, pick up women, go home, get up for work, and repeat. Then I met Laurel, and she changed that for me. Your entire life, you’ve been in work mode. It’s what your parents drilled into your head. And like I said, I think your mother realized that. You chose Stella for a reason. She wasn’t just some random chick you picked up in Vegas. I saw the way your eyes lit up when she stepped onto the plane. I saw how you looked at her at the courthouse when you two married. I was happy because I said to myself that she was the one. She was the one who was going to make him happy and realize there’s more to life than work. And from the bottom of my heart, I knew you wouldn’t have the marriage annulled once your year was up. But I guess I was wrong since you told her last night you’re having your attorney draw up the papers.”

“She deserves a better man than me.”

“That’s for her to decide, Miles. For fuck’s sake. She’s carrying your baby. YOUR BABY. You must have some sort of feeling in that heart of stone. God. If Laurel told me she was pregnant, I’d be over the moon with happiness. This child is yours and the heir to Bradshaw Capital.” He pointed at me.

“I can’t be a father.”

“Why?”

“I already failed as a husband.”

“You weren’t a real husband to begin with. You can make up all kinds of excuses to convince yourself that you aren’t in love with her. But I know what I know and what I see.” He stood up and threw some cash on the table. “Lunch is on me, friend. Figure your shit out and call me when you do.” He shook his head and walked away.

Pulling out my phone, I called Nolan.

“What’s up, Miles?”

“I need the annulment papers done today.”