The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 4

Orelia's POV.

I give myself five minutes to get my shit together. I'm a midwife. I deal with stressful situations daily.

I need to think of this as being no different. I need to keep my game—face on, remain calm and deal with this logically.

He has a family with another woman. I do not want to be involved with a father.

How can I have children with him The birth of our first child will only be a first for me, not for him.

How can I ask him to leave his girlfriend She's a new mother, I would never want her heart broken like that.

How would it even work

It wouldn't, that's the thing.

He might not even choose me. Let's be honest, he's already made his choice.

Goddess, this sucks.

What did I do to deserve this I'm not a saint, but I really don't think I deserve to be punished like this.

I need to reject him, get this bond over with before it even starts. This needs sorting.

Resolved in my decision, I stand up and steel myself. I leave the break room and head to the reception. I'm surprised to find my mate leaning across the desk and talking to the nurse.

He looks up as I approach, and his eyebrows shoot up in surprise.

'It's okay, she's here,' he says to the nurse and then looks at me. 'Please, could we talk'

'I think that's a good idea,' I reply tersely. 'Let's step outside.'

It's a warm night. We both go through the revolving doors in separate compartments and step outside.

I move out of the way of the entrance, and he follows me. He stands before me, nervous and sheepish. He shoves his hands into the front pockets of his jeans.

'Congratulations,' I tell him bitterly.

He frowns and I roll my eyes.

Is he really going to play dumb

'Congratulations on becoming a father,' I snap, annoyed that he has made me spell it out.

Xavier's eyes widen and he puts his hands up in defense, as though I'm going to hit him.

'I'm not the father!' He blurts, looking worried. 'Goddess, no!'

Sorry, what now

I stare at him, shocked and dumbfounded.

'I'm not the father,' he repeats quickly. 'I'm her friend.'

He's not the—

'You're not the father'

His eyes are wide as saucers as he shakes his head emphatically. 'No!'

Relief barrels through me and my shoulders sag. I feel elated and exhausted at the same time, it's a strange combination.

'She's my friend,' he tells me, his eyebrows drooped at the end in sympathy. 'I had to tell the nurse I was the father to be able to be there for the birth. They were trying to stop me from coming in.'

Goddess, this is a lot.

I lean back on one of the metal posts that stop cars from coming onto the pavement.

She's his friend. He's not the father.

'I would never do that to you,' he says. 'I know that we haven't met, but I knew you existed, and I wouldn't do that to you, have a family with someone else.'

I cannot explain how much better I feel. My mind is still reeling, but I feel a darn sight better than I did five minutes ago.

'I, I don't know what to say,' I reply tiredly. 'I'm so relieved.'

He smiles sheepishly. 'I'm sorry. I know it looked so bad. I was so caught up with Lettie.'

Lettie.