Chapter 28

Angela POV

"Angela, you"

Sean leaned over the bed, bracing himself with one arm, his face hovering way too close to mine. His breath grazed my skin-warm, familiar, and honestly, a little unsettling.

I stared up at him, totally thrown.

"What's going on? Did I screw up the whole 'happy couple' thing in front of Grandma today?" My voice came out groggy, still heavy with sleep, and I blinked at him lazily. "Just tell me what I did wrong, and I'll fix it tomorrow, okay?"

I flashed him a big, goofy grin and threw in a teasing, "Darling!"

He arched an eyebrow, pulling back with a frown. "Cut it out. When it's just us, you don't need to lay it on so thick."

Then-bam-the bathroom door slammed shut. By the time he came back out, I was already drifting off.

The next morning, I woke up to an empty bed. Sean was gone. The pillow we'd shoved between us the night before? Missing too. He must've moved it when he got up, probably paranoid Grandma would barge in and notice the gap.

When I shuffled into the dining room, Elizabeth and Sean were already parked at the table.

"Morning, Elizabeth!" I chirped, sliding into the seat next to her. Then I glanced at Sean. "Why didn't you wake me up? I was gonna make breakfast for Grandma."

"Oh, honey, you need your sleep," Elizabeth said, patting my hand with a sly little grin. "I was young once too. I know how you kids get at night-all that energy."

Her meaning hit me like a freight train, and my face went beet red.

I let out a shaky laugh, knowing I couldn't exactly correct her. No, Elizabeth, I'm just wiped out from being pregnant, not that.

After breakfast, Sean mentioned he'd drive me to the office.

"Hold up," I said as we were heading out. "Your tie's all messed up."

I stepped in close, stretching up on my toes to straighten it. "There," I said, stepping back-only to have him yank me into his arms and plant a kiss right on my lips.

I flinched, instinctively pulling away, but then I remembered Elizabeth was watching. I froze instead, letting it happen.

Sean didn't let go right away-his tongue slipped into my mouth, warm and insistent, tasting faintly of coffee, deepening the kiss with slow, deliberate pressure.

When he finally let go, I shot him a look. He just raised an eyebrow, smirking.

Really? I thought. Does the act have to be that convincing?

At his car, he opened the passenger door for me. I ignored it and climbed into the back seat instead.

He shut the door harder than necessary. "What's that about? Too chicken to sit up front with me?" He paused, then grinned. "Kinda funny, considering you were all over me in your sleep last night. Couldn't even shove you off."

"Stop lying," I snapped. "I was practically falling off the edge of the bed. No way I was anywhere near you."

"Oh yeah?" His voice was pure sarcasm as he slid into the driver's seat and started the engine.

Was he seriously trying to mess with me? I knew I hadn't been clinging to him. He was just yanking my chain.

It wasn't long before Christina strolled into my office.

"Lost?" I glanced up from my desk. "Sean's office is next door."

"Angela, I'm here for you."

"You? For me?" I shut my laptop and leaned back, giving her my full attention.

"Christina, I get why you're here, but I've already decided. Nothing's changing my mind. So, honestly, there's not much to say."

Last time we talked, she'd handed me a three-million-dollar check-and Sean had promptly shipped me off on an "extended leave."

I didn't buy that the money was just about me leaving him. I'd already planned to walk away from Sean, cash or no cash.

No, that three million was for an abortion.

I'd sent the money back to Sean, so as far as I was concerned, their little plan for my baby was off the table.

Maybe I came on too strong, because Christina went quiet for a minute. Then she said, "You're really set on this?"

"Yep," I replied, not budging.

"Angela," she said, her voice softening, "remember two years ago? Your dad got roughed up by those debt collectors. I stepped in, stopped them, got him to the hospital. That was me, right?"

My stomach twisted, and my face darkened.

She kept her tone low, almost gentle. "What if I called in that favor now? Would you still say no?"

I bit my lip, trying to hold it together, but my pulse was hammering in my chest.

"No rush to answer," she said. "How about we grab lunch downstairs at the café and talk it over?"