<b>Chapter </b>565


    I swirl the ss in my hand, my mind miles away.


    After I left Sierra’s house, I went back to work and found my office already cleaned and reorganized. The wreckage I’d caused had vanished without a trace. Even the shattered desk had been reced with a


    brand new one.


    Mary gave me looks. I could feel her questions hanging in the air, but I ignored them. She probably wondered what had transpired between Sierra and me to provoke such a meltdown.


    One thing I’ve always appreciated about Mary is her discretion. She doesn’t gossip. If she did, my mother would have already stormed into my office, arms folded and eyes full of disappointment, demanding why


    I made Sierra cry.


    Everything felt unreal. Like I was stumbling through a thick fog that refused to lift. I even sat through a meeting, though I can barely remember a word that was said. Thankfully, neither Dad nor Uncle Rowan could attend. I was in no shape to face either of them.


    My thoughts were scattered. Emotions rode just beneath the surface, raw and vtile. The team must have sensed it because everyone kept their distance. One wrong move from anyone, and I would have


    exploded all over again.


    After work, I came here to the club. I needed something, anything, to take the edge off. To distract me


    from the chaos I’d created.


    I bring the ss to my lips and down the amber liquid. It burns on the way down, but that’s all it does. It doesn’t dull the ache in my chest. Doesn’t calm the storm raging in my head.


    I thought about going for something stronger, but we all know where that road leads. It was the drugs that got me into this mess to begin with.


    “What are you brooding about?” a voice cuts through the fog. A voice I’d recognize in my sleep.


    I look up. Gunner.


    He’s been my best friend since we were kids, since he and his dad moved next door to Mom’s after the divorce. Back then, he was shy and closed–off. But Mom had this way of pulling people in, especially kids. It’s why her children’s foundation thrives. She’s a natural… plus, there is the fact that she was a teacher


    so she knew how to handle kids.


    “Sierra’s pregnant.”


    Silence<b>. </b>


    He sinks into the seat across from me, brows rising slightly before a slow grin tugs at his lips.


    +15 <b>BONUS </b>


    “Well, I’ll be damned. I never thought I’d see the day she settled down with someone else and had a kid. I guess Lilly’s efforts finally paid off<b>.</b>”


    My brows knit. Confusion flickers.


    Could he mean Lilly helped Sierra with this whole baby–trapping thing?


    The thought punches me in the gut. Would my own cousin betray me like that?


    My fists clench. “What do you mean?”


    “About what? That I never thought she’d settle down, or Lilly’s matchmaking?”


    “Both.”


    He pours himself a drink, lounging back. “We all knew how much she loved you. You marrying Chloe must have crushed her. I know it would’ve crushed me. From what I know, she’s never really dated anyone seriously.<b>” </b>


    I remember the day of my wedding. I didn’t pay all that much attention to Sierra. How could I when I was marrying the love of my life? I do remember giving her a brief look, but that was it. Like I said, she didn’t matter. Only my beautiful wife did.


    “And Lilly<b>?</b>”


    “Lilly’s been trying to set her up with half the bachelors she knows. I guess one of them finally swept Sierra off her feet. Kinda sucks they didn’t tell me, though.”


    Gunner has always had a good rtionship with Sierra. They’re actually good friends and even hang out


    once in a while.


    It’s funny, really. Everyone around me has a good rtionship with Sierra. They all adore her, except me. They’ve never been able to figure out why I dislike her so much. I never understood why I hated her as a kid, but as we be older, the reasons be clearer.


    “She just found out,” I mutter.


    He pauses, eyes narrowing. “And she told you first? You, of all people?”


    I can see the calction in his eyes. See the way he’s moving the pieces. See the way he’s studying me, as if he’s seeing all my secrets.


    “So why would they tell you first, given your very chaotic rtionship with Si… Unless, of course, the baby is yours.”


    I don’t respond.


    There’s a reason Gunner is a leading CEO in the construction industry–his mind is razor–sharp. He’s the


    kind of man who can dismantle an opponent without lifting a finger, just by watching and identifying


    their weakness.


    “Tell me I’m wrong.”


    <b>“</b>I can’t.”


    I wish I could. God, I wish someone else were the father. But wishes don’t erase reality.


    He stares at me, stunned. “How the hell did that happen? You hate her.”


    “What the fuck am I supposed to do?” I rake my hands through my hair. “I don’t want this baby. And if my parents find out, especially Mom, they’ll push me to do the ‘right thing.“”


    Gunner remains quiet, but is there really anything to say? He knows I’m right. He knows that will be the


    result if they find out that Sierra is pregnant with my baby.


    “Dad did the right thing. Married Mom when she got pregnant. And they were miserable for nine years. I go through with this, It’ll be history repeating itself.”


    “But it eventually worked and now they are extremely happy together.”