The Trouble With Him: A Secret Pregnancy Romance (The Forbidden Love 3)

“I think it’s only right we have dinner with him soon. He is now a part of our family.”

I nod, taken aback to hear this from my father.

“Yes, he is. But we’re not together, Dad.” I tug on the bottom of my shirt, fumbling on my thoughts. “Do you think Millie will forgive me?”

“Give her time. She’s your sister. This is complicated, but she will never stop loving you.”

“I guess this is like the whole Uncle Julian and Aunt Adriana saga,” I dare to raise, cautiously glancing at him.

Dad shakes his head. “Oh, sweetheart. That was much worse.”

“But everyone eventually reconciled and moved on?”

“Sometimes, Ava, there is no choice. Unfortunately, this is the hand we are dealt, and nothing we say nor do will change how someone feels about another person.”

If Dad and Mom forgave Aunt Adriana, then eventually Millie will forgive me. But for now, I agree with him—she needs time. And so that’s what I will give her.

Letting out a yawn, I stretch my arms in the air. “I’m going to head to bed, it’s been a long day, and I’m still on East Coast time.”

“Of course, get some rest, Ava.”

As I stand up to leave his office, I stop to say one more thing. “I’m sorry if I disappointed you, Dad.”

His gaze falls upon me, and even though this is not what he wanted for me, his soft expression reassures me that I have his support.

“Ava, I love you. Nothing will ever change that. Now get some rest, please.”

I head up to my room, shower, dress in my pajamas, and climb into my bed. There’s a gentle tap on the door the moment I get comfortable.

“Come in.”

Mom enters the room, carrying a grilled cheese sandwich and a glass of milk.

“Under different circumstances, I would have come up with vodka.”

The corners of my mouth curve upward into a smile as she places the items on the nightstand beside me.

“Thanks, Mom.”

“I noticed you didn’t eat much at dinner,” she tells me honestly. “Have you been experiencing much morning sickness?”

I shake my head. “I think it’s been more stress-induced nausea.”

“With all four of you, the first trimester was terrible. I had morning sickness all day long.”

My hands move behind me to adjust the pillows so I can sit upright and eat. Then, not wanting to get crumbs on the blanket, I move it off me. I’m about to reach for the glass of milk, but instead, I lift my top so Mom can see, followed by pulling the photo up on my phone from the ultrasound.

“Here’s my baby, Mom.”

Mom’s eyes glass over with a smile gracing her entire face, then slowly, she reaches out. “May I?”

I nod, allowing Mom to place her hands on my stomach.

“I can’t believe my baby has a baby inside of her.”

There is another knock on the door, but without even getting a word out, Addy and Alexa come in. The two of them lay on the other side of me, and just like Mom, they place their hands on my belly.

As we all laugh softly, Dad walks past. He stops at the door, surprised to see us all in bed together.