Page 111 of Illicit Heir

Emily confesses, "Her mum swore the O'Connors would take the baby from her if she told ya. I thought maybe she had and ya were hiding her for a bit before telling her mum."

I groan. "Her mum has some warped ideas. We wouldn't take the baby from her. That would be really fucked-up."

"Would it?" Emily asks, peering at me closer.

I sigh. "We don't do things like the O'Learys do."

Emily sadly shakes her head, restating, "I don't know where she is. I really did think she was with ya, but now..." She bites her lip and blinks hard.

"Don't worry. I'll find her," I promise.

"How?" Emily asks.

"I don't know, but I will. Is there anything else that ya need to tell me?"

Emily ponders my question for a moment, then shakes her head. "No, that's all I know. She was upset about the pub. She found out she was pregnant and was living at her mum's. That's all I know. Oh, and it's not Caleb's, even though her mum wants her to tell Caleb it is."

"Over my dead body," I burst out.

Emily releases another anxious breath. "Well, ya better get to her before Caleb does, because her mum is adamant that she tells him it's his."

Rage fills me. I declare, "Ya don't know me very well, Emily, but there's no way in hell that bastard is ever touching my kid." I spin and leave, more determined than ever to find Lauren. I get in the car and curse myself for ever letting her out of my sight. Then I try to process the fact that I'm going to be a father.

19

Lauren

The first two nights in Clifden, I spent on the streets. Then I saw a line of women on the street outside a church. My curiosity got the best of me, and I learned it serves as a women's shelter. So I swallowed my pride and got in line.

There are barely any beds. You have to be one of the first people in line to get one, but I've managed to get a spot every day.

Some faces are becoming familiar, yet I barely talk to anyone. I found out within the first day on the street that you couldn't trust anyone when my wallet got stolen.

"Here you go, love," Annie beams, handing me the number to my bed. She's a nice older woman, probably my mum's age, with just as many wrinkles. Yet unlike my mum, she doesn't look hardened. She's always cheerful and radiates joy.

I trusted her immediately, and she's the only person I dare to let my guard down around. I return her smile. "Thank you, Annie."

She pats me on the shoulder.

"There's my love," a man's voice shouts.

I turn and freeze. The man looks familiar.

Where have I seen him?

"Dominick, what are you doing here?" Annie questions.

He pulls flowers from behind his back and walks over to her. "Wanted to give ya your anniversary flowers."

Her face lights up. "You remembered."

"Have I ever not remembered?" he asks, his eyes twinkling.

Her face blushes slightly. She lifts onto her tiptoes and reaches for his face, giving him a quick peck.

"No, you haven't," she replies.

They stare at each other for a moment and then she turns. "These are beautiful." She smells them, pulls one out, and hands one to me, offering, "Here ya go, love."

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