“Are you alright?” I asked, breaking the silence.
“It doesn't make sense, does it? It was my childhood home. Going back there shouldn't cause me this much turmoil.”
“It's the last place you saw your dad alive.” I said, somberly. “It makes sense to feel that way.”
“I'm glad you're with me.”
“Me too.”
For the rest of the drive we stayed silent. The music was playing just loud enough to drown out the sound of the old truck's engine. I found myself thinking about what came next. I needed to find a new car and the baby could stay in my room for a while, but eventually he or she would need their own space. Moving in with Owen seemed like the next logical step. What would that look like for us though? He mentioned leaving New York. Was that something that he still wanted? I was wrestling with my own feelings about staying here. Was Nashville still on his radar?
I had been staring out the window for so long, that I barely noticed when we pulled into the driveway. With the ignition off, and our seat-belts unfastened we steeled ourselves for what was to come. We approached the house together, and after ringing the doorbell it only took a few seconds before Carlotta answered it.
“Good morning.” She said, ushering us inside. “Can I take your coats?”
“No thank you.” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.
I was suddenly struck with the oddest feeling, and I shivered.
“Thanks for seeing us, Lottie.” Owen said, as he pulled her into a hug.
“You know I always have time for you.” She replied, as she squeezed him back.
“Why don't we go into the sitting room?” She suggested.
Owen, and I followed her into the large room just off the foyer, choosing to sit on the couch. Carlotta sat across from us, and that's when things got serious.
“Lotta.” Owen started. “I know this is a long shot, but were there any other videos sent to your email? Specifically something from the day Ronnie, and I were here with Derek and dad?”
She crinkled her nose in thought. “There have been quite a few, but honestly I didn't bother watching any of them. I was only interested in the day your father- when he passed.”
“Could we see them?”
“Is there something I'm missing?”
“Derek said a lot of things during that 'meeting.' Things that could ruin his image, and give me good reason to contest the will. Right now, it's hearsay... but if we have proof-”
“You've already got proof that he murdered your father!” She said, with disbelief. “That in itself should be enough to show his attorney. What more do you need?”
“It's not just that.” He said, turning to me as if asking my permission.
When I nodded, he continued.
“Ronnie's pregnant.”
Her scowl quickly changed to a smile, and she rushed over to hug me.
“Congratulations you two!” She gushed before pulling away, and giving the same treatment to Owen. “You're going to make a wonderful father!”
“Thanks Lotta, but that's the other reason why we're here.”
She arched a brow in confusion as she reclaimed her seat.
“Alright, I'm listening.”
“The baby belongs to Derek.” I said softly, averting my eyes.
I couldn't be sure how much Carlotta knew about our situation, but I knew that she loved Owen like her own. If she was anything like my mom, she was going to lose her mind trying to put the pieces together.
“Before you jump to conclusions, Ronnie didn't know that Derek was my brother. Hell, neither did I. All you need to know is everything that's happened has been purely coincidental.”
“I don't believe in coincidences.” She said, looking between us. “Everything happens for a reason.”
“Maybe you're right.” I sighed.
Owen turned to face me with question, and I shrugged my shoulders.
“There's a reason I met Owen. I was meant to. He helped me heal when I didn't even know that I was broken. Derek won't stop until he has custody of this baby. He murdered his own father... what's to stop him from hurting me? I know that our situation isn't ideal, and to most people we're probably moving way too fast, but I love Owen. I genuinely love him, and all we want is a chance.”
“Let me grab my laptop.” She said, before leaving the room.
Owen placed his hands on either side of my face and smiled, before kissing my lips softly.
“What was that for?” I asked.
“Just being you, Unicorn.”
“Your life would be so much easier without me in it.”
“Lies.” He winked, before wrapping his arm around me.
Carlotta came back into the room then, carrying her laptop. She set it down on the coffee table between us, and opened her email account. When she was all signed in, she turned it towards Owen, and I.
“Everything's in the saved folder. You're welcome to look at whatever you'd like.”
“Thank you.” He said earnestly, before turning his attention towards the screen.
I watched as he began to scroll through the emails checking the dates as he went. There were three files sent on the day in question, and I knew that one of them had to be the murder. I shivered, as he clicked on the first to open it. His arm dropped from my shoulders, and he was holding my hand in his now, as we watched together.
This was the argument. I bolted out of the room, and the men continued to mince words. Hearing it from the safety of the bathroom, and actually seeing were two completely different things. I looked on as Owen punched Derek, knocking him to the ground. I watched myself enter a few seconds later, and then I listened as Derek told everyone what I really was to him.
We had it. Proof that my entire engagement was staged. Once Mister Foster's lawyer seen