The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 41

At Baylor Group headquarters.

Inside the expansive office, the city’s neon lights had begun to flicker to life beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a colorful glow across Jamie’s handsome face. His sharp gaze fell on Aaron.

"What have you found?" he asked in a low voice.

Aaron answered respectfully, "Mr. Baylor, I looked into the man you asked about, Wesley Miller. He was Suzie's classmate in college. His mother has end-stage kidney disease, and Suzie gave him money to save her life."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "I also confirmed Suzie’s whereabouts. She is, in fact, pregnant, and…"

"You said what?!"

Aaron flinched and looked up timidly. A vein throbbed on Jamie’s forehead, his eyes flashing with a cold, fierce light that seemed poised to devour everything in its path. He looked like a wolf, coiled and ready to strike.

Aaron could feel sweat starting to trickle down his back. He had hesitated for a long time before even daring to report the pregnancy. And now, seeing Jamie’s reaction… if there really was something going on between Wesley and Suzie, then the question of who the father was…

After a few seconds of silence, Aaron gathered his courage and spoke plainly. "She's pregnant—with triplets. After she left the Baylor Manor today, she went to the hospital. She… she was planning to terminate the pregnancy, but for some reason, she didn't go through with the procedure."

The instant Aaron finished speaking, a sharp, grating sound filled the room.

Using the faint light from outside, Aaron glanced toward the source of the noise. Shards of a wine glass lay scattered on the floor, glistening in a pool of dark red liquid, a grim sight in the dimness.

Jamie hadn't turned on the lights when he came in, nor had he allowed Aaron to. He seemed to be in a terrible state today. Had he already been certain something was wrong with Suzie, or was this report the final confirmation he needed?

Aaron collected himself and spoke cautiously. "Mr. Baylor, I think there must be a misunderstanding. Ms. Sterling isn't that kind of person…"

"Get out!" Jamie’s low, furious voice cut him off.

Aaron’s face fell. He swallowed hard and retreated from the office.

Alone in the dark, Jamie pulled a cigarette from its pack with trembling fingers. His other hand shook as he fumbled with a lighter, flicking the wheel several times before the flame finally caught. He took a long, harsh drag, his brow furrowed in the gloom.

His gaze drifted to a velvet box on the desk. The glowing tip of his cigarette reflected in his eyes, burning like a tiny, contained fire.

***

By the sea, Suzie stood against the wind, the handsome man from the hospital beside her.

Seeing her cry, Oliver panicked. He knelt beside her and handed her a tissue. "Don't cry. With your condition, you can't handle such emotional swings."

Suzie took the tissue, sobbing. "It's not about the money, Oliver. I…"

"I didn't pull you out of there to stop you," he said gently. "I just wanted you to think it through one more time. Whatever you decide after you've had time to think, Stella and I will support you. She'll be here soon."

He offered her another tissue. "No more tears, okay? You never cried when we were kids. When did you learn to shed tears?"

Suzie managed a watery smile, wiping her eyes and murmuring her thanks.

Before long, Stella came running toward them, out of breath. She rushed to Suzie and grabbed her hands. "Why did you go to the hospital alone? Why didn't you call me?"

The tears Suzie had just dried began to fall again. Stella and Oliver had been with her since childhood, the source of nearly all the warmth she had known growing up.

Seeing Suzie’s miserable expression, Stella sighed heavily and patted her back. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you Oliver was back sooner," she said gently. "I was afraid that bastard Jamie would use it against you. Did you know he's had someone investigating Wesley more than once?"

"What?" Suzie asked, stunned.