"How could I see it differently?" He was eerily calm. “It was never part of the equation. You told me it was safe.”
"I know I did and I truly believed I was, but the pill isn't a hundred percent effective and I guess—" I nibbled at my lip, trying to find the right words. "I guess it just happened,” I finished rather lamely.
"Did I offend you?” he asked, completely missing the point of my exasperation. “You never intended to tell me about the fetus,” he said, matter-of-factly. "Do I even have any say in this decision?"
"No, you don't. My choice, remember?” I stood taller. “And yes, Iwillkeep my baby."
I knew I had no right to be angry, but his attitude was making me so furious that I exposed my decision with respect to this child before fully coming to terms with it myself.
This baby growing in me was a part of both of us, and yet he was merely referring to it as a ‘fetus.'
"I know we barely know each other, but fatherhood has never been in the cards for me." He ignored the trace of anger in my voice. "I don’t ever intend to be a father. Not now, not later, not ever.”
I waved my hand in a dismissive gesture. “I’ve seen the kind of man you are, the kind ofbrotheryou are." I shook my head. “This child deserves better.”
Hugo straightened himself, and I didn’t miss how his hand tightened into a fist with frustration. He was clearly both angry and frustrated and I was happy with that. At least he was feeling something.
"I am neither asking nor expecting anything from you at all, Hugo.” I pointed at the door again. "You found out the truth and I owed you at least a partial explanation, if only to give you closure and the assurance that this will not come back and haunt you in the future. No secret child will come to your doorstep in seventeen years.”
He pursed his lips as his eyes dipped down and I realized that I had been gently rubbing my stomach as I spoke.
Even in the heat of our discussion, the mere thought of the baby made me smile. Was this what they called maternal instinct?
I pointed at the door again. “You should go, Hugo. There's no point in discussing this any further. We've said everything that has to be said."
"I am not a monster, Ava," he said firmly.
I couldn’t agree with him there. Everything I’d seen of him since our night of unbridled pleasure had been pretty cold and monstrous, but once again, there was no point debating.
"You can walk out with a guilt-free conscience, Hugo, because you're giving me a fantastic gift." I smiled when he narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "I've always wanted a child and saw myself as a mum. Did I see it coming? No. Did I plan for it to happen this way? Of course not, and I especially didn’t want to involve you in all of this. In the end, however, I will have a child and I won't have to share it with anyone." It was true and despite the fear, I felt both excitement and joy at becoming a mother.
"I may not be part of this child's life but I will not be remiss in my responsibilities. I will support you both financially,” he said quietly, as if he was surprising himself by uttering those words.
I shook my head, bypassing him and opening the door. I needed him gone. "Actually, I'd rather not. I have enough to offer this child—a happy life. I realized a long time ago that money doesn’t buy happiness."
I didn’t need to point out that he was the perfect example of it. He was rich and powerful and yet obviously so cold and bitter.
"But it does contribute to it quite greatly,” he pointed out. "Are you really going to deny your child the best education money can afford? With my money, this child could go to Eton, Cambridge, Oxford. You name it."
"No."
"No?" He frowned. "Your only answer is no?"
I rolled my eyes. "I merely told you my decision out of respect. Something you’ve not shown me once since your father’s party. There were no false promises involved and I certainly won't hold you up to anything."
Hugo opened his mouth to speak and I braced myself for the next fight but he closed it again.
“Go, please,” I repeated wearily.
Finally, he shook his head with what seemed to be resignation.
“Just don’t try to pull one on my family, you and Ethan. He’s desperate enough to do anything to keep our father’s approval but if you—”I raised my hand. He had some fucking nerve to think I would ever stoop that low after everything I’d just told him.
“Your father will not know about this child, and Ethan won’t be the father. Goodbye.”
He looked at me for a couple more seconds before turning around and leaving.
I quickly closed the door and rested my back against it as treacherous tears burned my eyes.