“Wait, weren’t you supposed to have your own paternity test done to be sure?”
“Yeah, I’d planned on doing my own test, but other things took priority….” There was no need telling my brother that Celia had disappeared and all of that. “Just so you know though, the test result was from Belle Venue Clinic, that’s a legitimate establishment linked to General Hospital.”
“Another test will make you even more sure,” he replied.
“Seeing as I’m a lawyer and deal with fraud all the time, I hope Reeva didn’t try a blatant lie. Or would she dare to cross me like that?”
My brother laughed. “I don’t know for sure, but the way you describe her stalking you, I doubt Reeva would think that far ahead.”
If she had, that would imply she’d had an affair while we were dating. And we’d only been together no more than six months! And have the gall to fake a paternity test?
A headache was coming on as I turned into my building’s garage
“We’ll know when you get your test back. We’re talking about a kid you would love, taking turns during the week or the month to parent…” Johan reminded me before we hung up.
“Taking turns during the week or the month to parent….”That statement was like a poke in the painful wound that was separating me from Celia. I knew it was a possibility, but hearing it stated just reinforced how much I was actually asking from Celia.
Would she agree to babysit with me on my weekend? The thought lingered as I parked the car and sat in silence fora moment, the engine ticking as it cooled. I knew I couldn’t predict where things would go with Celia or even with Reeva, but one thing was certain: my life was no longer as neatly compartmentalized as I’d once believed. As I stepped out of the car and headed toward my apartment, I resolved to face whatever came next with the same determination I’d always prided myself on. But deep down, I knew winning Celia wouldn’t take logic alone.
Chapter twenty-one
Celia
It had been two weeks since I’d come out of my probationary period, making it officially over three months since I started working here. I felt a little celebratory about it. Anton would have been the first to hear about it—alas.
Seeing him at work had always been somewhat uncomfortable, but now, it was borderline unbearable. Thankfully, his father had recovered and was back at home, though I had to hear the news from Olivia. She had become a very good friend at work, but we hadn’t reached the point where I would confide in her about what happened between Anton and me. Still, I suspected she had some idea of what went on when I used to visit his office.
Not being able to talk to Anton in the familiar way I had grown accustomed to was sometimes driving me crazy at times. His demeanor toward me was strictly professional and distant. I should have been relieved, but I wasn’t. It only intensified the ache—hurt like the dickens.
I picked up a case file and headed to the copier to finish up a deposition for Otis, one of the attorney colleagues. I wasn’t an intern anymore, but he was up to his neck in cases and had asked me for a favor.
Suddenly, my nose made contact with a chest as firm as a brick wall. I stumbled back, embarrassed. “I’m so sorry—” My words were cut short. “Anton!” I shook my head. “Uhh, I mean, Mr. Waltons.”
“Good morning, Miss Adams,” he said flatly.
All the spark was gone from his tone, and it felt like a dagger in my heart. There was no telling what was going on in that handsome head of his.
“Morning. I’m sorry,” I replied and went around him. He fell into step beside me, though. “I’ve been reviewing your notes on the Harper and Howland case. How are things going?”
We entered the copy room, just the two of us. I paused at that question, then remembered that even though I was out of probation, I was still somewhat supervised. Of course, Waltons couldn’t let a dent happen in his firm’s prestige standing. Neither would I.
“It’s going well,” I replied.
I tidied the pile of papers but I accidentally missed the counter, and they crashed to the floor. I knelt, gathering the papers as Anton crouched down with me.
“Celia,” he said softly.
I didn’t grab any paper; instead, I closed my eyes, wishing he wouldn’t say my name like that, like he wished things could go back to the way they had been. He placed his hand under my elbow and helped me stand. My skin tingled at his touch, bringing back all the memories of the intimate moments we’d shared.
“Mr. Waltons, please.” This was torture. Sweet torture. “We can’t go there again. Especially after my visit from Reeva—”
“What?! Reeva came to see you?”
Zut! I hadn’t meant to reveal that. My heart pounded in my chest, the words had tumbled out before I could stop them, a desperate attempt to shield myself from the pull he still had over me.
“Yes, she did. I think she meant to warn me off, but I told her we were over.” I raised my eyes to his, a knot tightening in my stomach with regret and a desire to protect myself. “I won’t get in your way anymore.”
“Iwantyou to get in my way.”
