"I mean, don't get me wrong, I've thought about it. Also, I've seen many video clips of people being elated while swabbing their cheeks, then falling apart while analyzing their results. It's heartbreaking to watch quite a few of them discover their parents were unfaithful or misled them about their heritage. I don't know what I'd do if the results reveal my mother had been unfaithful." Taking a deep breath, she sighs it out.
"I honestly don't think it's possible, Heids. Even a blind person can see how much your parents love each other. I've always wished for a man to look at me the way your father still looks at your mother," I reassure her. She pulls the corners of her lips into a cheeky smile.
"I know, Allie. Anyway, your ride or die here has a feeling something happened between you and Sebastian. Did you guys have an argument or something? Come on, spill sister." Intense irritation claws to the surface, but I stuff it down as usual.
"We can talk about it later. Let's finish our breakfast first, okay?" She nods, furrowing her sculpted brows.
After stuffing myself silly on a few large pieces of pizza and filling Heidi in about what I discovered at Sebastian's office, I lean on the sofa and pat my bloated belly. Heidi folds her hands on her stomach and bends forwards slightly, narrowing her eyes.
"Seriously? What was he thinking? Just because he's a rich Dom, he can't go around doing background checks on people. Okay, he can, but he shouldn't. Someone needs to slap some sense into him."
"I'm furious. What gave him the right to check on me as if I'm a common criminal? He betrayed my trust. He should have come clean, especially since he knows I have trouble trusting men," I seethe, ready to explode.
The sound of someone's fist pounding frantically against the door's frame echoes through the living room. It must be Sebastian. Jumping to my feet, my eyes dart around, searching for places to hide while my heart beats like a frightened rabbit.
"Oh dear Lord, I can't face him right now, Heids. Please, go talk to him and tell him to leave. Please! I can't-" my voice trails off as panic squeezes the air out of my lungs.
"Of course, babe. But are you sure you don't want to talk to him and give him a chance to explain?" I shake my head vigorously.
"No, I need time to calm down and think. Tell him I'll text him." Heidi gives me a tight smile and walks away. I strain to hear what Heidi is saying when Sebastian's voice booms through the room.
"Alexandra, we need to talk. Please, I need to explain," he pleads, his voice laced with urgency and desperation makes my stomach flip-flop.
Part of me wants to run to him and jump into his arms, but the part of me that is hurting like a bitch forces me to remain silent and wait for Heidi to come back.
"You have every right to be upset, but is it wise to ignore him, babe? He isn't someone who gives up easily, so he might turn up at our door again tomorrow." She cocks her head, gazing at me intently.
My mouth twists with threat. "If he wants to live, he better not. I'm not in the mood to talk to him right now. On top of that, my mother called me this morning, asking me to come say goodbye to my father, who apparently only has days to live."
"Are you sure we haven't taken a wrong turn left and ended up in some fucked up version of the 'Twilight Zone?" she muses.
"It sure feels like it." Refilling our coffee cups, she takes a large gulp and fires another question.
"What're you going to do? Do you think you can find it in your heart to forgive him?" I rub my forehead to release the tension building behind my temples. I'm on my way to a killer migraine.
"In all honesty, I don't know if he can admit his mistakes and ask for forgiveness. All his life, it's been all about him. He's a taker…he takes and takes until you're nothing but an empty shell. But in the face of death, even the mightiest of us tremble and repent, asking to be absolved of their sins." She bobs her head as I speak, her eyes sparkling with understanding.
"Stranger things have happened, babe. And what about Sebastian? Are you willing to forgive him? He hasn't stopped calling, which means he must feel bad and wants you to give him a chance to explain and perhaps apologize."
"What if he's just a more evolved version of Nathan? What if getting involved with him was a terrible idea? I don't have a good track record with men, Heids. I don't want to end up like my mother. I can't and I won't," I mutter as the tears I've been fighting off all morning finally stream down my face. Heidi jumps to her feet and plops next to me.
"You will never end up like your mother, babe. What do you tell me when I'm down?" She covers my hand with hers, squeezing it gently in encouragement. Wiping my tears with my sleeve, I swallow the lump in my throat.
"You're a strong queen with a beautiful and fierce soul that is here to light up the world and help others rise to their feet and reclaim their power."
"Damn straight. You are a survivor, Allie. You beat cancer, and didn't let your father or Nathan crush your spirit despite everything they did. Instead, you rose from the ashes like a phoenix and showed the world that nothing can take you down. Now tell it to yourself."
Giving her a quick hug, I whisper. "Love you, Heids. Thank you for being my friend and always knowing how to make me feel better."
"Love you too, Allie. No need to thank me. You do the same for me. Tell you what, how about we take a road trip to San Diego? I have a week off and need a break from everything." She inclines her head, giving me a quizzical look.
"I think it's a great idea. Let me have a quick chat with my manager and we can set off."
I'm not running away. Going away will help me clear my head and deal with my emotions without the fear of Sebastian showing on my doorstep. He can find you in San Diego, I remind myself.