“That wasn’t from me, Jude.”
I ran my fingers through my hair, not sure what to believe. Who to believe. But that didn’t matter. Jesus fucking Christ, I was a father. I stopped and looked at her. “I want to meet her.”
“Yes. Of course.”
“I will be a part of her life, April. I don’t give a fuck what August does.” I let out a frustrated growl. “That fucking asshole stole my kid.”
She let out a gasp and cried. “Jude, I’m so, so sorry.”
I started back to the bakery.
“Where are you going?”
“To meet my daughter.”
“Wait.” She took my arm, stopping me.
Anger flared. “You’ve had seven years, April. I’m not waiting any longer.”
“Jude, you have to get your anger under control.”
“Why? I’m pissed.”
“I know. And you have every right to be, but Maya is innocent. She doesn’t know any of this.”
She was right. If I walked in there now, I’d probably scare the kid.
I looked at April, wondering how much she was a part of this. Maybe she thought I’d abandoned her, but she’d had plenty of time since my return to say something. Even if I was a fucking bastard that ignored her being pregnant, she should have said something.
“Fine. I’ll wait. But not long, April. I’m tired of you and August fucking with me. Of making me feel like I’m a piece of shit just because I don’t have money.”
“Jude, I’ve never thought that—”
“Right. You think I’m a catch. That’s why you didn’t bother to mention I had a daughter. That’s why you’re entertaining advances from Matt fucking London.”
“Jude, no—”
“I’m going home, April. But tomorrow, I want to see her.” I jabbed my finger into my chest again. “I’m her father. Not August. Not Matt. Me.”
She nodded and sniffed. It was only then I noticed she was crying. My instinct was to comfort her. But I chose to hold on to my anger and stormed off.
18
April
I watched Jude walk away, my heart breaking for him. And for me, if I was honest. I walked back to the bakery, working to get my tears out so I could put on a brave face when I saw Maya. I didn’t want her to know about all the turmoil. And turmoil was what I felt. He was right, even if he was a jerk, which he wasn’t, I should have said something to him about Maya.
Now he was mad at me and probably distrusted me like he distrusted August. Any future we might have had was likely gone. Funny, I’d been so adamant about keeping our relationship business only, but now that he likely hated me, my heart broke. Turns out it still wanted him.
Would he ever forgive me? He seemed to want to have a relationship even when he thought I’d sent that break up letter. So maybe there was hope?
I wiped my face as I entered the bakery.
Petal appeared from the back room. She looked behind me and then at me when she realized Jude wasn’t there.
“How’d it go?” she asked.
“Not great.”