Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 98524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
“You do not deserve anything,” I growled, closing in on him again. “You were a mistake that Eloise made. You do not deserve to be anywhere near my daughter.”
“Well, I have no doubt that she is my seed, Javier,” he said, partially laughing. “The timing of when Eloise conceived is just . . . it’s too close. With all the traveling you were doing that she constantly complained about, there is just no way Aleesa can be yours.”
Before I could react, Catalina stormed around me to slam her hands into Rafael’s chest. “Get the fuck out of here!” she barked, shoving him further away. “Now!”
He stumbled backward but caught himself. Then he chortled. “Fine. Whatever. I thought we could be cordial about this and do what was best for Aleesa, but you all clearly don’t want to play nice, so I’ll leave.” Rafael sighed and raked his fingers through his too-perfect hair. “We’ll see what the paternity results are and then what the judge has to say, whenever we have the hearing.” He stepped backward, eyes going past me. “Aleesa, I’ll see you soon, okay, sweetie?”
I wanted to jack him up by the collar. I wanted to choke him to death—I swear I did. How dare he come onto my property, dropping a bomb like this? Telling me that she may not be mine? How dare that motherfucker come to my house, trying to take my daughter away from me?
This was unbelievable. How could Eloise do this to me? How could she not tell me that Aleesa may not have been mine?
A judge would never allow this. Not when I was there for Aleesa when she took her first breath. It was my name on her birth certificate. She was my baby girl . . . there was no way he would be able to get her. No damn way.
We watched him stroll away and climb into a black Tesla. He tooted his horn as he drove around the fountain. I didn’t look away until his taillights were completely out of sight.
“Hijo.” My mother rushed down the stoop to reach me. “What is going on? Who was that man?”
“You heard who he was, Má.” My hands shook violently. I wanted to punch something. Break something. This couldn’t be happening.
“How can that be?” Mamá’s voice trembled. “Tell me this is not true, hijo. Por favor.”
I could not bear to look at her. Instead, I stormed into the house and did not stop until I reached the living room. I paced back and forth, in circles, my mind racing and my heart pounding way too hard and fast.
“H-how, Javier?” Catalina’s voice was soft. I stopped pacing to look at her and the two other women standing a few feet away. I looked at Aleesa too. She continued watching me anxiously. “I . . . I knew Eloise wasn’t happy for a long time and that she might’ve slept with—”
“I didn’t think it needed to be said, Cat!” I yelled. “Yes, Eloise slept with him. Yes, she was unhappy. But Aleesa is mine, do you hear me? All this time, I have raised her, and she—no, he has to be lying and is doing this to mess with my head! She is my daughter, and he is not getting her!” I stomped toward my mother to collect Aleesa. “Give her to me.”
Aleesa gave my mother a wary look but leaned toward me so I could grab her.
“I think we should keep her with us until you calm down a bit, Javier,” Octavia murmured as I marched around her.
“Do not tell me what to do with my daughter,” I grumbled, storming toward the stairs. “You are not her mother. You do not have the right.”
“Javier!” Cat’s voice sparked with rage now. “I know you’re upset, but you don’t have to be an asshole.”
“No, it’s fine, Cat.” Octavia held up a hand as I hiked up the stairs. “He’s right. This is none of my business. I’ll give y’all some space.”
“Octavia, please,” Cat called after her.
I continued to my bedroom and locked the door behind me. Then I cursed under my breath because I did not mean that. I truly, sincerely had not meant to say that to Octavia. She was the best thing to have happened to me in years other than Aleesa, and she was just trying to help . . .
“Fuck,” I cursed again, sitting on the edge of my bed.
Aleesa began to cry as she held on to me. “Daddy, I scared.”
“No, no, amor. I am so sorry,” I whispered. “Do not be scared. You are okay.”
Her bottom lip poked out as tears streamed down her cheeks. And when she closed her arms around my neck and held me even closer, I broke down in a sob. I buried my face in the small space between her head and shoulder, hugging her tighter.