Page 16 of Revealed

“You and that man. Your security guard!” Her voice sharpens at the title. “I remember him from the wedding.”

“Could you really call that a wedding? Father all but had a gun to my head,” I retort sarcastically.

“I saw the way you were looking at him just now,” she declares.

“He was holding my baby. What else was I supposed to do?” My explanation isn’t fooling her the least bit. I just make note to be more aware of lusting over Michael as I watch him gush over Kennedy’s existence.

My mother’s face falls on a heavy sigh. “Francesca, trust me–these things never tend to work out how you would want. It’s best to keep a professional relationship, just that.”

“And how would you know, Mother?” My voice comes out more accusatory than I mean for it to.

Her eyes widen at me before staring down into Kennedy’s sleeping face. When she looks up again, the tears are back, along with the saddest smile I’ve ever seen my mother wear.

“Honey, I’ve lived more of a life than I’ve allowed you to see. Situations like this don’t end well.”

I want to ask more questions but stop short when the door to the hospital room opens again and in walks my husband. I would’ve preferred the argument my mother was insistent on picking to any time spent with Ashton.

My mother stands with Kennedy in her arms and for a moment I think she is going to walk her to him. Instead, she turns to me, gracefully laying my world safely in my arms before shocking me with a kiss to my forehead.

“I’m going to the cafeteria to speak with Kathy. I’ll be back shortly,” she says softly.

“Okay, Mama.” I gaze into her eyes, wanting to beg her not to leave me alone with him.

We hold contact for a moment longer before she turns to Ashton. “Nice to see you. Congratulations on the beautiful baby girl.”

To anyone else, the words would be harmless and welcoming to a new parent, but Ashton isn’t just anyone. I watch as his posture stiffens and his eyebrows slightly raise before his face falls back into arrogant boredom.

“Thank you, Marie,” he responds before turning his back to her and his deadly cold stare to me.

Briefly his eyes flicker down to Kennedy, sleeping soundly in my arms even as my hold on her tightens.

“A girl?” Ashton questions.

“Perfect and healthy,” I respond, lifting my chin in a show of strength. “Would you like to hold her?”

Everything in me had bet on him saying no. It was the only reason I offered. The slight pause in his response suggests he has no interest, but then he steps forward. I readjust Kennedy in my arms and sit up as his arms come out to take her. My heart is thudding loudly in my ears as I lay her head in the crook of his embrace. A glance at his face tells me that he has never done this before, so I adjust his tight arms around her small body.

“Relax, Ashton,” I chuckle. “She’s a baby, not a bomb.”

His eyes narrow in my direction, before looking back down at Kennedy. “Does she have a name?”

“Kennedy Eden Rose.”

He just nods, acknowledging my words as he continues to stare at her. The parallels of having just watched Michael do the same is jarring. Where Michael looked to be on the verge of tears and in awe of this new life, Ashton is assessing, guarded, without a flicker of emotion.

“So, who’s the father?” Ashton asks calmly.

My stomach drops as my heart thuds wildly in my chest. I can only pray that I keep the shock off my face.

“What do you mean? She’s yours.”

“Don’tlie to me!” he snaps.

“I have no reason to lie, Ashton.” False bravery fills my voice.

“Interesting. I happened to discover some information recently.” He keeps Kennedy in his arms as he moves across the room, sitting in a chair. “I was told that I’m unable to have children, Francesca. So, this little bastard isn’t mine.”

Fuck.I don’t have a response as my gaze is locked in on his cold, narrowed eyes.Why did I offer to let him hold her?He breaks our eye contact to look back down at Kennedy.