Page 137 of Bleeding Hearts Duet

Chapter Eighteen

Brighton

Ryland had really gone to the mattresses on this one.

Not only had he brought Matt, who was now in the corner arguing with Nicole about our ‘shitty apartment,’ but he’d called my landlord too.

“Sorry.” The guy shrugged. “But there’s been a violation of the lease.”

Ryland was standing in the doorway, his arms crossed, watching the entire interaction. This had him stamped all over it, and I knew my landlord was full of shit. Money talks, and he didn’t blink twice when Ryland paid him off.

“What kind of violation?” I argued. “I want to see proof.”

“You can take that up with my lawyers.”

“Lawyers?” I frowned. This guy couldn’t be serious. He couldn’t afford a fresh coat of paint, let alone lawyers.

“That’s what I said.” He slapped the papers down on the counter and headed towards the door. “You have three days to vacate the premises.”

“That’s illegal!” I shouted.

I was pretty sure, anyway. But the landlord didn’t seem to care. He just stomped out, humming a happy little tune as he went. I expected to see a victorious smile on Ryland’s face, but there was no such thing. His eyes were still ice cold, his expression flat.

“I’ve been more than patient, Brighton,” he said. “I let you have the upper hand because I was sorry for what happened.”

I shot him a scathing look, but it didn’t even faze him. “And I’m still sorry about that. But the games stop, right here, right now. You’re having my baby, and I’m done playing. You and Nicole will move back into your apartment. Today. I will not have the mother of my child living in a place like this, and that is not up for debate. Do you understand?”

“You’ve given me no choice.” I glared.

He didn’t even look remotely sorry about it as he continued. “Ted will be at your service, should you need to go anywhere. And I will provide everything you need, financially.”

“And what else?” I snapped. “Is there some sort of agreement you’d like me to sign in blood while you’re at it? My life and body belong to you for the next eighteen years?”

“No,” he responded flatly. “No contracts, no agreements, no us. You’ve made it abundantly clear that isn’t what you want. So this is just about the baby now.”

“Oh.” I swallowed, and it felt like there was glass in my throat.

He didn’t want to be with me anymore. Why the hell did that hurt so much? It was what I wanted, but hearing him say it cut me to the bone.

“And what happens when the baby is born?” I rasped. “You aren’t taking it away from me.”

“You mean like you took it away from me?” he shot back.

God, he was really upset about this. I honestly didn’t understand why. The first time I’d asked him if he was trying to get me pregnant, he’d sounded so horrified by the idea. And he was the one who insisted on getting birth control right away. It was only logical to believe he’d still feel the same. But I guess I was wrong. And I worried that he wouldn’t ever forgive me for it.

“You know I would never do that to you, Brighton,” Ryland said, his tone softening a fraction. “But I will have equal rights.”

“Of course,” I whispered.

“And when the baby is born, I’d like you to consider staying home. I think it would be best. And, of course, I’d take care of everything for you.”

“Right.” I nodded, my eyes burning with unshed tears. He sounded so detached. Like this was some kind of business arrangement he was making as if I had suddenly ceased to exist. It fucking hurt.

“Ted’s waiting downstairs to drive you to the apartment,” he informed me.

“I haven’t even packed yet,” I said.

“Let the movers do it,” he insisted. “I don’t want you lifting anything heavy.”

I would have protested, but I didn’t have the energy to fight anymore. I barely had the energy to muster up a fake smile for him. “Okay, Ryland.”

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