The baby…
Why had Jamie done this?
How had any of them let this happen? “You signed off on the surrogacy… you said he had a clean bill of health. It was the only reason the solicitor allowed it to happen, he said.”
“In that moment, we thought he was in the clear and hoped he would have at least a few years ahead of him. We were wrong, it seems.” The doctor cleared his throat. “I suggested the surrogacy might not be the best idea. But he said he wanted to give you this gift. He was so adamant he wanted this baby for you. I couldn’t deflect his focus.”
A gift?
Now it all felt like a nightmare. How was he supposed to raise a child alone… without Jamie?
How would he survive a world without Jamie?
“How long has he known?”
“He’s known for a few weeks, though he didn’t know just how bad it was until the test results we got today.”
Rohan winced. How many appointments had Jamie sat through all alone? One word, and he would’ve been there, at his omega’s side, helping to shoulder the burden.
He stared at the doctor, his mouth dropping open. Tears burned the backs of his eyes. “No.This is some cruel joke… tell me this is some cruel joke!” He jumped up and walked closer to the doctor, grabbing the lapels of the white lab coat and dragging the man closer.“Tell me!”
“I wish I could,” the wide-eyed doctor said, shrinking back from Rohan.
He let out an angry roar seconds before several orderlies rushed in and dragged him—kicking and screaming—from Dr. Ford.
Rohan felt a prick of pain moments later… and the world went fuzzy around him.
They dropped him into a chair beside his sleeping omega. He lowered his head to the mattress and closed his eyes before the world went black.
* * * *
Awakening…
Jamie brushed Rohan’s fine, chestnut hair, the softness of the threads like silk against his fingers. His alpha slept at his bedside, Rohan’s big body overwhelming the small room. He hated the thought of Rohan awakening—of the anger and sadness that would likely come with it. Jamie wasn’t sure how much his mate now knew, of course, but he sensed his secret might be out.
Until Rohan opened his eyes, Jamie could remain in that fantasy world…
A place where they were still happy. Where they still had a chance. Love. Children. Family. Tomorrows.
He wouldn’t remain in that fantasy world long. Rohan began to stir under his hand and soon, those vibrant eyes awoke and pinned him with a stare. At first, the alpha looked around, as if he didn’t recall where he was or what had happened. Jamie knew the split second it all came rushing back. He could see the overwhelming sadness shining in Rohan’s eyes.
“How could you not tell me?” were the first words from Rohan’s lips.
The look of pain on Rohan’s face was almost too much for Jamie to bear.
“I did what I needed to do.”
“Again you’ve pushed me out. You lied to me… kept me in the dark… why?”
Jamie smiled wanly and took Rohan’s hand in his. “I didn’t lie. I wasn’t ready to tell you yet. I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“You didn’t want to hurt me? And I’m not hurting now?”
“I know. I’m sorry,” Jamie mumbled. “I just needed a little while longer… to not see the sadness I see in you now. I hate seeing you like this… I was only trying to spare you the pain, believe me.”
“Isthisthe reason you’ve been pushing me further and further away? Because if it is… I won’t have it.”
Jamie looked down at his lap. It wasn’t the only reason, but it was a part of it.