Bree shook her head.
“It doesn’t matter anyway. Tucker is back, so Jace is off the hook. It makes no difference that I don’t intend to have anything to do with Tucker. His obligation to take care of his brother’s cast-off and her bastard child are over.”
“Blythe!” Bree gasped.
“What? I knew it was a game all along. My only mistake was having sex with one of them. I’ll pay for that mistake for the rest of my life.”
“You can’t possibly think this baby is a mistake.”
“Not the baby—the baby’s father. We may be tied together by this child—that’s if Tucker doesn’t disappear again—but otherwise, I plan to have as little as possible to do with him or his family.”
“What have they said about the bleeding?”
“They said I have partial placenta previa. Mom said she had it when she was pregnant with me. I don’t understand it, but for now, I’m on bed rest.”
“Will they let you go home at least?”
“I think so, but they’re waiting to run more tests. I may have to have a blood transfusion.”
16
Tucker went outside to wait. He couldn’t stand being in the waiting area with Blythe’s parents. He knew what they thought of him for leaving. He had his reasons, and seeing Blythe in that bed, knowing she and her baby were still at risk, made him want to catch the first plane right back out of there.
But he couldn’t. This was something he couldn’t run from, even if he believed they’d be better off without him. At the very least, he had to make Blythe understand why he’d left in the first place. If she’d listen, she might decide she didn’t want him to stay. It had to be her decision. He wouldn’t walk out on her and the baby unless he knew it was what she wanted.
When he saw Bree, Jace stood.
“Mom, she wants you and Dad to go back in now.”
Paige and Mark went through the double doors without speaking to Jace, or even acknowledging he was still there.
“This isn’t fair,” he muttered. “Were you able to talk to her?”
“Yes, I talked to her, but I didn’t get anywhere.”
“You know I’m telling the truth. Or is this your way of getting rid of me?”
“How dare you accuse me of anything, especially lying to my sister?”
“Gotta admit, she’ll believe whatever you tell her. You haven’t made your feelings about me a secret.”
“A moment ago, you said something about this not being fair, and right now, you aren’t being fair to me. I’m not a liar, Jace. I may not like you, but I wouldn’t lie to my sister to get rid of you.”
He studied her, trying to figure out whether she was telling him the truth.
“What did she say?”
“Apologize.”
“She said to apologize?”
“No. She didn’t. Before you ask me what she said, you owe me an apology.”
He hesitated, and Bree turned to walk away. “Wait. I’m sorry.”
She turned back and studied him, much in the same way he’d been studying her moments before.
“I’m sorry, okay? I’m on edge. I’m beyond frustrated, but I shouldn’t have accused you of lying.”