Chapter 33

Bryce was so quick in his movements that I only caught up to him with he was about to open the front door. I ran ahead of him and leaned my body against the door to stop him from walking out. The truth is if he so desired to get out of the apartment he could have very well done it, considering how much stronger and more powerful he was than my weak and pathetic self. Alas, he ceased his enraged pace and looked down at me with those entrancing eyes of his.

"Move out of my way Aubrey," he pronounced coldly with underlying fury. His tone made my neck hairs stand on end but I still didn't move. I was the only thing standing between him and Logan's death.

My gaze unwavering, I brought my chin up in defiance. "No. You're not in the right state of mind. Murderous intent is radiating off you," I said curtly.

His eyes narrowed to slits. "That's what the bastard deserves. He put his filthy hands on you and-"

"But nothing happened," I countered.

"Something could have happened," he insisted, moving ever so closely to me.

Now it was my turn for my eyes to narrow. "Bryce, stop it. You're acting like he hurt me-"

"But he did hurt you. You've got bruises all over your arms. My blood is boiling at just the thought of it," he stated matter of factly. Stubborn as a mule, this man.

My body leaned further into the hard piece of wood beside me as he stepped even closer to me. I knew what he was trying to do. He knew his proximity disoriented my thoughts but I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing me tremble. No, not today.

But you were trembling underneath him all night...

"Listen," I began pushing aside my wayward thoughts, "you need to stop acting like I'm your responsibility because I'm not. I don't want nor need you to fight my battles for me like I'm sort of damsel in distress."

His face lowered so that he could look me straight in the eye. "So why did you call me if you didn't need me?" he questioned, his pupils dilating slightly.

"Because," I responded, my eyes fleeing from his penetrating gaze. Did I really have to answer that question? I mean, do I have to spell it out for him?

A laugh erupted from the back of his throat. It was laced with pure mockery. "I get it, you had no one else to call. I forgot I'm the only person who could actually help you," Bryce remarked acidly.

I shoved him away from me but he only moved back an inch. "I'll have you know there are plenty of people who I could have called," I fired pathetically. Damn him!

"Like who, your mother?" His voice had so much ice that it made me shiver. That was an extremely low blow. He took a step back, much to my delight. "I can't believe you. Instead of you being grateful that I'm willing to beat the British shit out of Hunter, you're protecting him? Even after what he did to you? Unbelievable!" Bryce exhaled, and then turned to face the lounge.

"I'm protecting you, dammit! This will make headlines, and I can guarantee that. Logan could sue you for all you have-"

He snorted arrogantly. "I'd like to see him try. Don't try to change the topic. Answer my question, why did you call me?" he prodded further, his hand hibernating deep in his Armani suit pockets.

I didn't answer. I couldn't answer. I didn't know how to answer.

"You may not know it, but I'm all that you've got. Even after all the shitty things you did to me, I'm still right here. When will you stop seeing me as the bad guy?"

My arms went around my body because I suddenly felt cold and hollow. "Bryce, I think you should just leave. It's not yet even 10 a.m yet I feel like I've been through a lot."

His had his back to me still. "You feel guilty, and you should. That's always been your major flaw; you're too fucking stubborn and hard headed. I warned you about Logan and you didn’t listen. In fact, you always never listened to me even though all I wanted was the best for you." Bryce's tone was cool and no hidden message laid beneath it. He meant every word of what he had just said.

My eyes suddenly felt itchy with tears. I wanted to say something but my throat constricted, making it utterly impossible. His words hurt me in so many ways and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it.

Because deep down I knew he was right.

Finally, he turned around and graced my vision with his breathtaking face. It had no expression, just an indecipherable poker face. He began to walk towards the door but I stood in his path.

"So why did you make love to me last night?" I asked rather tersely, looking up at his grey orbs but they didn't flicker over to mine. His stare remained fixed on the door.

He remained silent for a couple of seconds as though he was raking his mind for what to say. "I guess you could say I'm always game for a booty call. My libido was supercharged," he voiced indifferently and my heart shattered into smithereens.

"So last night meant nothing to you?" I dared to inquire further, desperately hoping he would say something I would want to hear. Much to my chagrin, only disappointment followed.

"Did it mean anything to you?" He asked too, and with that he brushed past me and walked out of the apartment.

A strangled sob croaked out of my mouth. My knees buckled underneath me and eventually, I found myself falling to the floor. The tears, on their on cue, poured out of my eyelids like a thunderstorm. Never in my life have I ever felt so, so nothing.

Would this constant pain ever end?

***

One line means no, two lines means yes.

My hands shook violently as I stared down at the stick that was in my hands. The instructions read that the results would show after 5-10 minutes and it'd felt as though I'd been staring at it for decades. I felt every second as it ticked by, my heart beating loudly like a drum.

Any second now, Aubs, and you'll know, I quietly told myself but then the door bell rang. Exhaling deeply and shakily, I placed the plastic stick on the top sink and exited the bathroom in order to see who was at the door.

I hadn't expected it to be Bryce. It had been exactly six weeks after our last heated exchanged and despite his scathing last words, I'd missed him greatly. He looked as handsome as ever, clad in a casual attire that had my tummy doing back flips.

Just then, I became aware of the fact that I was wearing a pair of black joggers and a tank top that had numerous stains on it. My raven colored hair was up in a messy bun and my face was make up free. I'll just say it now, the last couple of weeks had been really rough on me.

The little boy standing next to him stole my attention completely as he ran up to me and gave me a huge hug. From my peripheral vision, I saw how Bryce gave me a once over and then looked away almost immediately.

Gosh, did I look that bad?

"Mommy," squealed Israel as he clung onto me. I nuzzled my face into the crook of his tiny neck, taking in his natural scent. Cinnamon with a hint of vanilla.

"I missed you Izzy," I admitted sadly, feeling immensely guilty for not visiting him at least once. The truth is I just couldn't bring myself to set foot on Bryce's estate after what had happened.

Honestly all I had done lately was just mop around, eat a lot of junk food and watch some sappy romance films. The only thing that was close to exciting that I had done was go to the nearby drug store to purchase a pregnancy test. Note how I said close to exciting.

I had had my suspicions for about three weeks now. I just thought maybe I was a couple of days late due to my disturbed mental state at first, then a couple of days turned into a couple of weeks and I was starting to get alarmed. I only mustered enough courage to buy the test just earlier today.

I let go of his embrace and instead perched him up on my hip. "I missed you too, mommy. I wanted to come sooner, but daddy didn't want to bring me," he pouted and shot a menacing look at his father.

Bryce rolled his eyes and huffed. "I was too busy, okay?" he said reluctantly.

"Yeah, I heard you're opening up a branch in Japan soon. Congrats," I responded sincerely. While others have been making billions, I've been seating on my ass doing absolutely nothing.

He looked down at his Bulgari watch then back at me. "Thanks. So, I'll be back to pick him up say around 5?"

My face fell. "You're not going to stay?" I asked dejectedly.

His facial expression remained expressionless. "It’s not like you actually want me here, is it?" he inquired passive aggressively. I remained silent. "As I said, be back around 5. See you both then," and with that he left.

I went and closed the door behind him. I couldn't explain why I wanted to cry. He was still mad at me and he wasn't even going to hide it.

Brushing away my sudden mood change, I carried Israel over to the couch. "So, what do you want to do today champ?"

His cheeks reddened. "Do you have ice cream?" he asked feigning innocence. He looked so damn cute that I wanted to eat him up. Did I actually help make this little bundle of joy?

Yeah, and you may be about to make another one...

I cleared my throat at my awkward thought. I looked down at him and pinched his cheek. "Of course, I do."

That's how we spent our day, eating all sorts of treats and watching animated movies. It was really nice but I just couldn't help but imagine how much better the day would have been if Bryce had been there. It would have been so much more interesting.

Five o'clock swung by sooner than later and a knock came to my door for the second time today. I quickly laid Israel sleeping figure properly on the couch and dashed to the door. I opened to reveal and uncomfortable looking Bryce.

I was about to speak when he beat me to it. "Could I please use your bathroom?"

I smirked at his question and nodded. He wasted no time in entering and making his way over to the downstairs bathroom with long and labored strides. He looked really stupid but adorable at the same time.

No more than five minutes later he returned, and in his had he held the white stick I'd left in there earlier. He didn't look at me as he approached me but he did say,

"You're pregnant?"

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