Page 245 of Champagne Nights

“Oh, Henry. I’m sorry. Why would she do that? Did you tell her about the baby?”

“I didn’t have to. Mom did.”

“Excuse me? Did you just say, ‘Mom did?’”

“Yep. She tracked Ellie down at a café earlier today and told her about Kirsten and how we were engaged, and now she’s pregnant. Then she told her to stay away from me.”

“That fucking bitch!”

“I tried to explain to her how sorry I was, and I was going to tell her, but it didn’t matter. She said she could never trust me again and told me to get out.”

“She’s just in shock. Once she calms down and thinks about things, I’m sure she’ll want to see you.”

“I don’t think so, sis. Mom also told her that I was going to do the right thing and marry Kirsten.”

“She crossed the line, Henry, and something needs to be done. Mom or not. I don’t care.”

“I can’t live without her. I love her too much.”

“You don’t have to. I’ll talk to her and make her understand.”

“Thanks. But don’t. I don’t blame her for the way she reacted. It’s all my fault. I should have told her from the beginning.”

“This is all mom’s fault. She had no right to do what she did.”

“When I stopped by their house to give Dad the files he wanted, Kirsten was there. I think that was an excuse to get me there. She told me the baby changes everything and that we need to work things out.”

“Over my dead body,” Addison said. “Something isn’t sitting right with me.”

“Like what?”

“I’m not sure yet, but I don’t trust her. I never have.”

Ellie

Once I cried as much as any human possibly could, I sent a text message to my mom and told her that I needed her. Within a few moments, she walked through the door and ran over to where I was lying on the couch.

“Ellie, baby, what happened?” she signed.

I sat up as she hooked her arm around me, and I sobbed while I told her what happened with Henry.

“My God, baby. I’m so sorry.”

“I hate him, Mom. How could he keep something like that from me?”

“I don’t know why men do what they do half the time. I told you things were moving way too fast.”

“Mom! I don’t need you to say that right now.”

“I’m sorry, Ellie. I just hate seeing my baby so hurt.”

“I really thought he was different,” I cried.

After talking for a couple of hours, she finally left. She was worried and wanted to stay the night with me, but I told her nobecause I wanted to be alone. Starting the water for a bath, I poured in a capful of lavender-scented bubble bath and climbed in. The last person I wanted to tell about Henry was Joni. She was right all along, and I felt like a complete idiot for not listening to her. The tears started to fall again as I thought about him. After my skin started to prune, I climbed out of the tub, put on my nightshirt, and climbed into bed. It was only eight o’clock, but I didn’t care. All I wanted to do was sleep forever and forget about the man who shattered me.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Henry

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