“No. You deserve better. You’re coming with me right-”
He doesn’t expect me to shove him out of the way, and stumbles letting go of Stella. Righting himself, he turns on me, his hand balled into fists.
“You want to make this physical? Fine. Let’s do this.”
“I don’t want to fight you,” I growl. “But you can’t do this to Stella. She’s old enough to make her own choices.”
“Her stupid choice has made it clear that she doesn’t know a thing,” he hisses. He tries to swing a punch at me, but I dodge it easily. His anger is getting the better of him and it’s seriously throwing off his aim. I shake my head at him.
“No, Sam. I’m not doing this.”
He swings again and by instinct alone, I retaliate with a punch to his shoulder. It was harder than I intended and he stumbles back in shock. He tries to run at me again, but I easily stop him with a swift uppercut. Clutching his nose, he glares at me, blood running between his fingers. Stella gasps in shock, but I hold my ground. I can’t show weakness now.
Sam shakes his head at me in fury. “Fine. Have it your way. You’ve corrupted her now...so I guess I can’t take care of her anymore. You can pretend you’re going to marry her and make a life with her, but we both know she’ll be back at my side in a month. We both know you can’t handle a loving relationship.”
“You’re wrong,” I growl, but he’s already turning to look at Stella.
“I’m leaving. Tonight. You do what you want, Stella, since you clearly know best, but don’t you dare come back home while you’re still insisting that you’re going to be with that man forever. You can come back when you’ve come to your senses.”
Stella sobs loudly. “No, Daddy, please don’t go...don’t make me choose…I love him.”
“So you say,” Sam hisses. “So I guess if you love him so damn much you can stay with him, forever. You don’t need to bother with me again.”
With that, he leaves slamming the door behind him. Stella is crying hard now, gasping for air, and I rush to her, holding her protectively in my arms. I can’t believe he just abandoned her like that. But what’s done is done. He’s not coming back. He’s too caught up in his own hate to believe there’s even a chance that we’re in love. He’s so desperate to shun us that he’s rejected his own daughter.
“Don’t worry, baby,” I say. “I’ve got you.”
CHAPTER NINE
Stella
I’ve cried today more than I have in years. I don’t really think of myself as an overly emotional person, but I guess my father walking out really broke my heart. I thought that maybe he’d find a way to forgive me when I told him I’d fallen for his old best friend. But instead, he turned me away entirely.
I considered chasing after him, but I wasn’t going to let him think I’d chosen him over Jaxson. Jaxson never would’ve asked me to choose, especially not with the baby I know is on the way. I can’t believe that even after I told Dad I’m pregnant he chose to walk away. His grandchild is growing inside me and he’s more bothered by a years old feud. I guess today I learned that my father isn’t the man I thought he was, in the worst possible way.
And now it’s like I’m mourning him. He may not be dead, but I’m dead to him, and somehow that’s even worse. I have no idea what I’m going to do now. I’ve lived with my father all my life, even during my studies to save money. If I can’t go home, then where does that leave me?
Jaxson hasn’t said much, just holding me as I cry. But now, as I finally calm down, I feel a bit embarrassed for breaking down in front of him like that. I never expected so much emotion to come out of me. I wipe at my face, hiccuping a little.
“I’m sorry...I didn’t expect to break down like that,” I tell him. He shakes his head at me.
“There’s nothing to apologize for. You’ve had a rough day. You’re my woman, and you can cry on my shoulder anytime you need me.”
I feel a rush of love for him. Each new thing I learn about him makes me feel even more emotion for him. Even though my heart is breaking and it’s hard to focus on anything other than the pain, he’s here like a beacon of hope. With each passing minute I love him a little more.
“I’m so glad you’re here for me, Jaxson. Honestly, I don’t know what I would’ve done without you today.”
“That’s what I’m here for, to make you feel better.” He kisses my cheek and I blush. I’m not used to this kind of affection yet, but it’s something I think I’d like a lot more of in the future. Only from Jaxson, of course. It looks like Jaxson and I are going to be spending a lot more time together now that I’ve got no home to go back to and I’m carrying his baby…
“Why don’t we head to the beach for the day?” Jaxson asks me. “You should be given a day of relaxation, you deserve it.”
Part of me doesn’t want to go anywhere at all. I feel so miserable that it would be so easy to just curl up and cry all day long. But I think Jaxson knows this is what I need. If I get out there and enjoy myself as much as possible, then this whole thing won’t have been for nothing. I want to be with Jaxson because of all the excitement our time together brings me. I can’t waste the rest of this holiday hiding in the hotel room.
“Okay,” I say with a smile. “I’ll take a shower and then we can go.”
“Maybe I’ll join you,” Jaxson growls
