Page 124 of My Favorite Secret
Cindy took me to the doctor, where they calculated dates and told me the baby belongs to Tyler. That’s one positive thing—at least I know where the father is.
Cindy and I spent the rest of the day at her place, coming up with a plan. I need to break the news to Tyler tonight. He said he’ll never leave me. This will be the test.
Then—and I don’t know when—I need to somehow find a way to tell my father.
My vision blurs with a fresh onslaught of tears, knowing my father won’t take the news well.
I wipe the tears away and unlock the door. The apartment is quiet when I step inside. I have a bunch of missed calls from Dad and Tyler, no doubt wondering where I’ve been.
I work hard to keep my voice level as I call out, “I’mhome,” then head for my bedroom with the hopes of finding Tyler.
“Harper,” my father calls from the kitchen, sounding displeased. I’m not surprised. He’s probably been worried over my whereabouts. If I hadn’t been so flustered, I would have planned this better.
I enter the kitchen. “Sorry I’m late. I got caught up at ballet?—”
“The cleaner found this in your bathroom today.” My world closes in on itself as Dad places my pregnancy test on the kitchen counter. “She thought I should be informed.”
My skin is hot. Itchy. I’m burning up everywhere. There’s a ringing in my ears.
“Felix is the father, isn’t he? That’s why he left. That’s why you’ve been so upset over his disappearance.”
A tear escapes down my cheek. I shake my head, unable to find words.
“Whois the father?”
My mouth opens, but my throat is constricted so tight I can’t speak.
“How could you let this happen, Harper?” he scolds. “You’re supposed to be waiting for marriage. Do you realize what this means for your life? Your ballet career is over before it’s begun. You haven’t even graduated high school. This is a disgrace. Your mother would be appalled.Whois the father?”
Footsteps approach. “Harp, is that you?” Tyler enters the kitchen, stopping once he sees my wet face and the tense scene between me and my father. “What’s happened?”
I still can’t speak. My pulse thunders in my ears. Tyler’s gaze switches from me to my father, then down to the pregnancy test. I see the exact moment Tyler puts two and twotogether. His jaw tenses and he gulps. Then he looks at me, his gaze filled with concern and kindness and…love.
Of course this is his reaction. I never should have doubted him.
“You’re pregnant?” he asks.
My gaze drops to the ground with shame.
Dad audibly sucks in a surprised breath of air. “You’re the father, Tyler. Aren’t you?”
“Harper, it’s okay.” Tyler walks toward me.
“Don’t take another step near my daughter,” Dad warns with so much disgust in his voice that it makes me flinch. “I welcomed you into my home. Treated you like family. I trusted you to take care of my daughter while I was in Italy because you’ve always acted like a brother to her. And this is the response I’m met with? You get her pregnant. Pack your bags and get out of my home right this second.”
“Dad—”
“No, Harper, not a word from you. I have never been more disappointed in my life. How long have you two been sneaking around behind my back?”
“Not long,” I whisper.
“Thomas, I understand you’re upset. But I need to speak to Harper about this.”
Dad glares at him. “You will not spend another night here. Harper, we’ll continue this discussion in my office once Tyler is gone.”
As soon as my father leaves the kitchen, Tyler wraps me in a hug and kisses my forehead. I cry against his chest, clinging tight.
“It’s okay, Harper,” he hushes. “Everything is going to be all right.”
