“Are you okay?” he asked.
I felt completely gutted. It was my own fault, I knew, but that didn’t change how much I wished Dylan would talk to me and forgive me. This baby wasn’t born and already, I was grieving that I might lose custody of it.
“I’m not feeling very well. The pregnancy …”
“Yes, of course.”
“I … need to leave.”
“It would be better if you could stay.”
I managed to look him in the face. “I’m sorry, I just …”
He nodded. “I’ll make your excuses.”
I felt like I was in a fog as I walked down the courthouse steps toward the parking area. I got into my car, but didn’t know where to go. Should I go to Dylan’s? Was I supposed to continue this ruse? If I went to his house, would he toss me out? I felt so alone and broken, and I couldn’t do it anymore.
I decided to go back to my parents’ home. I wouldn’t tell them about the fake marriage, but I would tell them everything else. I couldn’t do this alone, and they were the only people in the world I knew would forgive and help me.
Before I headed home, I decided to pick up my things and maybe see Maisie since I was in town. Pulling myself together, I headed back to Dylan’s.
I parked in the driveway and was barely out of the car before Maisie was rushing over from my old house.
“Tessa!” She launched herself into my arms. “You’re home! I’ve been waiting for you.”
Corrine followed her over. “Sorry. She’s fast.”
I held Maisie close. I was going to miss this kid. “Hey, honey. Did you have fun with Corrine?”
“Yes. I showed her how to make big bubbles.”
“I bet she loved that.”
“Since you’re home—” Corrine started.
“Actually, I can’t stay. I’m just grabbing a few things and heading back to my parents.”
She quirked a brow. “Everything all right?”
“Just some things going on at home.” That wasn’t a lie, even if she thought I meant at my parents’ home instead of here.
“You have to go?” Maisie’s face dropped. She wrapped her arms around my neck. “Don’t go, Tessa.”
I squeezed her tight, feeling like a heel for messing things up so badly for us. “I’m sorry honey, but I have to.”
“When will you be back?”
“I … don’t know.”
“Come on Maisie, let’s go make that picture you said you wanted to color for your dad.”
“Can you come too?” Maisie’s little eyes filled with tears.
“I’m sorry, Mais, I can’t.”
Her lip quivered. “Don’t you want to be with us anymore?”
How was it possible my heart could break even more? “Oh honey, I do. I want to be with you always. I just can’t right now.” I squeezed her tight again and kissed her cheek. “I love you baby. Don’t forget that, okay?”