Too Late Alpha The Mate He Never Wanted (Iris and Eric) novel Chapter 123

Chapter 123

“I’m fine,” I said quickly.

He tilted his head. “You don’t look fine. You look like you want to throw something at Chloe’s head.”

My jaw tightened.

Shane smiled softly. “Thought so.

I sighed, folding my arms across my chest.

He leaned against the wall. “Are you going to tell him?”

My heart stumbled. “Tell him what?”

“About the baby.”

I froze.

Shane’s voice softened. “Look, I don’t need the details. You don’t have to say his

name,

but it’s pretty obvious who it is. You have to decide if you’re going to tell him

or not.”

I stayed silent. It wasn’t as easy as it sounded.

A painful memory flashed through my mind

**

Flashback

Eric’s office smelled of alcohol and smoke. He sat behind the desk, his eyes were bloodshot from drinking as usual.

I stood in the doorway, gripping the hem of my sweater nervously. “Eric… we need to

talk”

He didn’t even look up. “Not now,

“It can’t wait,” I whispered.

now, Iris.”

His head snapped up at the tone of my voice. “What?”

My throat was dry. “I’m pregnant.”

For a moment, he just stared at me frozen, then shock filled his face, but it was quickly replaced by something that caused my chest to tighten. Disgust.

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Chapter 123

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“You scheming bitch,” he spat out. Each word sliced through me like a blade.

I flinched. “Eric, I didn’t-”

“You planned this,” he hissed, pushing back his chair hard, causing it to scrape the floor. “You waited until I was drunk, grieving my father’s death, and you took advantage. You think getting pregnant will tie me to you forever?”

“No!” I backed away. “It wasn’t like that-”

“Don’t lie to me!” His voice thundered. “You made me sleep with you because you knew I would never choose you in my clear mind.”

Tears blurred my vision. “Eric, please-”

“Save it.” He snarled. “You think your plans worked, well, you’ll be disappointed. I will never love you. And I will never love that child.”

My chest burned, but I couldn’t move.

He leaned across the desk with his eyes hard. “You wanted a way to trap me? Congratulations. But don’t think for a second it will work.”

I turned and fled with tears running down my eyes before he could say more.

*

The memory caused my chest to tighten.

I blinked back the tears as I came back to the present.

“Iris?” Shane asked gently. “What was on your mind just now?”

I forced a shaky smile. “Nothing.”

He didn’t buy it, but he didn’t push.

I wrapped my arms around myself. “I’m not going through that again.” I muttered.

“Through what?”

My voice cracked. “Being accused. Being treated like…like I planned this. Like I trapped someone.”

Shane stepped closer, his voice firm. “I don’t know what happened in the past to make you feel this way, but you and I know that Rowan is not like that.”

I scoffed bitterly. “I’m not sure about that, Shane.”

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Chapter 123

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“So you’re not going to tell him?” He asked.

I swallowed hard. “You don’t understand. Rowan-“I cut myself off.

His brows lifted slightly, but he stayed silent.

I turned back to the window. Rowan and Chloe were still there talking. Chloe’s hand was now resting casually on his forearm.

“They look perfect,” I said quietly.

Shane followed my gaze. “Perfect doesn’t mean happy.”

“It doesn’t matter.” My chest tightened. “He’s engaged. Everyone expects them to lead the pack together. And if I tell him…”

“You’re afraid it’ll seem like you’re using it to trap him.”

I nodded once.

Shane sighed. “I get it. But hiding it forever isn’t a plan. He deserves to know.”

I pressed a hand against my stomach.

“I don’t even know how to start that conversation,” I whispered.

“Then start small,” Shane said. “The rest will follow.”

I gave a shaky laugh. “You make it sound easy.”

“It’s not,” he admitted. “But the longer you wait, the harder it gets.”

My eyes drifted back to Rowan. He was walking away, with Chloe walking beside him. I looked away quickly as something like pain pressed against my ribs.

I took in a deep breath, trying to steady myself.

History might be repeating itself. But this time, I promised myself, the ending would be different.

I wouldn’t let anyone, not Rowan, not Chloe or the ghosts of my past, decide this child’s worth.

Not again.

As I stared at Rowan and Chloe walking away, I knew at that very moment that I had a decision to make.

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