RONNELL POVThe paper, still trembling in my grasp, held a revelation that shattered my whole world. I'd been duped, played for a fool. I never saw this coming. My mind raced as I stared at the words yet again, a cold dread settling in my gut. How could I have been so blind? Had I been stupid all along?What happened to smart, collected, and intelligent Ronnell?I gaped at the test results all over again.PATERNITY PROBABILITY: 99%Blair burst through the doorway, her phone gripped tightly, her face a mask of horror. “I was going to tell you.” She hesitated, her voice barely a whisper, as she stepped into the room. 'I was going to tell you…” She repeated while she strode towards me but I backed away.“You were going to tell me what?” I demanded, my voice rising. “When did you find out? Why haven't you said anything until now? Wait, if I hadn't found this, you wouldn't have said anything right?”"I'm very disappointed that you were still upset about me meeting Smith when he wasn't even
RONNELL POVThe dim, amber glow of my office lamp cast long shadows across my face, a stark contrast to the swirling storm outside. I watched the rain streak down the windowpane, each droplet a reminder of the storm brewing within me.I was foolish, utterly foolish, to believe that Blair and I could be something. What had I been thinking, inviting another woman into my life, especially after everything that had happened? I'd learned my lesson, hadn't I? Or was I doomed to repeat the same relationship mistakes?With a bitter laugh, I lifted my glass of wine, the liquid sloshing against the sides. The taste was sharp and bitter, a fitting reflection of my mood. I took a long, contemplative sip, the warmth spreading through my body. It was a temporary respite from the cold, bleak reality that had settled over me.I slumped back into the soft leather couch, my gaze wandering aimlessly around the room. The once-familiar surroundings felt alien, cold, and empty. I ran a hand through my hair
BLAIR POVFuck____I felt utterly heartbroken as I left Ronnell's home under such hostile circumstances. My mistake had been a colossal one, but the coldness in his eyes and the deliberate distance he maintained cut deeper than any wounds could. Tears welled up, threatening to spill over, but I fought to hold them back. My attempts at conversation were met with silence, and the security guards' efficient removal of my belongings made it painfully clear that he wanted nothing to do with me.I stepped inside my home, my mind still swirling from last night's confrontation. Despite my efforts to talk to him after he returned, he seemed completely uninterested in engaging. Frustrated and exhausted, I slammed the door shut, placed Nathan in his rocker, and headed to bed. I hoped for a few hours of uninterrupted rest before the demands of my day began.After a few hours of deep sleep, Nathan’s cries jolted me awake. A glance at the clock showed it was 11 AM. Hurrying downstairs, I spotted a
BLAIR POVAs I stepped out of the elevator, I was greeted by my assistant's cheerful smile. Her gaze flickered towards my closed office door before returning to me. “There's a woman here to see you, sir” she announced. "She said you told her she could drop by this morning.'""Did she happen to mention her name?"She shook her head, her lips pressed together tightly. "I apologize, sir. I assumed that if you were aware of her presence, you'd prefer me to simply send her in. I can easily ask her to leave."As much as it annoys me that she let a random woman into my office without gathering more information about her, I'm trying my best not to be a hard ass today. I give her a strained smile and nod my head. “That's not necessary, I will handle it, thank you.” While I walk straight ahead, she turns to the right and takes a seat at her large desk, fidgeting on the computer chair slightly.Who on earth could be meeting me this early?" I pondered, racking my brain for any hint of a scheduled
BLAIR POVWith only two hours until my flight, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by my packed luggage. But now that I've gotten everything sorted, I'm starting to relax. Since leaving Ronnell's company, I've been making a conscious effort to prioritize my health and fitness. For now, though, I'm going to focus on enjoying the flight and letting go of any remaining stress.The thought cheered me up, and I hurried over to Nathan’s bassinet to pick him up. He was crying again, his tooth obviously bothering him. I felt so sorry for the little guy."Hey there, my little buddy. Want to go for a ride?" I asked, but his tears only intensified. I smiled softly and pressed a kiss to the bridge of his nose. A chuckle escaped my lips as he began to suck on my open neck, seeking comfort for his aching tooth. There's nothing quite like Nathan to soothe my worries.As I fastened the baby carrier to my chest, I quickly gathered a few bags, knowing Samuel would be here in just three minutes. As I swung
BLAIR POVThe spring sun shines down like a sword aimed at my own personal gloom. I stepped into the grand adorned ballroom, my heels clicked on the marble floor, and I could feel all eyes on me but I ignored all of it because today was my best friend's engagement party. The chandeliers cast a mocking golden glow on me. A swift wave of insecurity washes over me as I search for my own seat among the set-up round tables.I instantly spotted Ella who stood around some guests, her cheeks flushed with so much excitement. Our eyes coincidentally met, and she gave me a smile and a wave, nearly hoisting a glass of wine in the process. “Blair! I'm very glad that you could make it!” she said as she threw her arms around me, the familiar scent of her perfume instantly easing most of my discomfort. I inhaled more while I tried to relax In her embrace, giddy energy emitting off of her. “Of course, I won't miss this special day of yours for anything. You look absolutely stunning!” I say. “I just
BLAIR POVAn unintentional blush appeared on my cheeks from my spicy thought but a familiar voice hit me out from the thought bringing me back to my present moment. “Blair! Where have you been? I have been looking for you,” Ella gushes, trudging towards us with her very high heels that may eventually cause her blisters. She stood in front of us, ignorant of the tension hanging thick in the air. “What are you both doing here? I have been searching the whole place for you two___the toast is about to start soon.” I blinked my eyes, trying to shake off whatever spell Ronnell had cast on me. “I was about to head back inside,” I say with an unnatural smile. Ella looks at both of us as her eyes tend to reveal her surprise. “You guys already met each other,” she says. “I was actually planning on introducing you both.” She turns her attention back to Ronnell. “I told you she was extraordinary. You should honestly consider her for your business. Trust me, I know exactly what I'm talking abou
RONNELL POVThe sweet smell of Blair's Fragrance stays on my skin, a haunting remembrance of the intimacy we had shared. I closed my eyes to inhale deeply and moved back to the feel of her soft body huddled against mine but she was gone. She had slipped out of the hotel suite earlier that morning, gathered her things, leaving a sweet and tempting kiss on my lips that only tended to tease me every now and then. The memory elicited an unfamiliar ache in my chest. Fuck_ I just can't afford to feel this way about her or any woman. With a frustrated sigh escaping my lips, I slipped out of bed and dragged myself into the bathroom. The cold floor offers a sharp contrast to the warmth I felt on the bed, a welcome distraction as I turned on the shower and stepped under the spray.The water washes away the evidence of our night together, but it also does nothing to ease the deep turmoil in my mind. I shouldn't have given in to the attraction between us. I should have known better but when sh