Blinking, Glenna sat up straight. “Of course. I have to be.”
It was a lie and the words tasted like ashes in her mouth.
“For the baby or for the business?” Shana scrunched her nose, looking at Glenna sidelong.
“Both, of course. They’re tied together because it’s all about the future of our family.”
“I hear you.” Shana shook her head, cutting to the quick of the matter. “But that’s still not my question. Are you going to be okay if you have to let the baby go?” She never pulled punches with Glenna. Always said what was needed, even if her words were difficult to confront.
“I have to be.”
“Even if Broderick is the baby’s father?”
Another question Glenna couldn’t answer. She wasn’t even sure if her answer mattered or not. But however this turned out…it would be difficult. Painful as hell, actually. Because, oh God, she wanted this baby to be hers. And even as she thought that, fast on the heels of that possibility was the reminder that becoming Fleur’s mother meant she would have to face what a sham her marriage had been. Face the fact that Gage had broken his promises after the tremendous effort it had taken to repair their marriage after his first infidelity.
Or had it been his first?
Glenna swallowed down bile.
“Thank you for your concern. But I can’t worry about what I can’t control.” If the baby was Broderick’s, then would she always wonder if he’d asked her to play house with him just so she could be a surrogate caregiver? An easy two-for-one option that would take care of his child and streamline matters at work?
As much as she wanted to pour out her fears to Shana, she couldn’t bring herself to say the words out loud for fear she would fall apart.
“You keep talking about the practical concerns, but there’s so much more going on here than that. I can see it in your eyes.” Shana rested a hand on Glenna’s arm and squeezed lightly. “Honey, I can’t help but worry you’re going to get hurt.”
Glenna felt transparent. So she pushed back, injecting ink into the situation.
“My heart is closed up tight.” Her fist clenched involuntarily.
“Ah, honey, take care of yourself.” Her sister-in-law slid an arm around Glenna’s shoulders and hugged her close for a moment. “You know I love you as much as any sister. No in-law part to it.”
For a moment, all Glenna could do was nod before speaking. “I know, and I feel the same.”
“Good, very good.” Shana hugged her tight and said with a catch in her voice, “Call me if you need me.”
“In a heartbeat.” Glenna hugged back before easing away. She hesitated, something keeping her from ending the conversation, after all. “And you? How are things? Are you all right?”
“Fine. Just tired… And no,” Shana said with a sad smile. “I’m not pregnant. Definitely not.”
“I’m sorry.” She knew they’d been trying for so long and understood the heartache of infertility all too well. There were no words to make it easier. There was no “right” thing to say.
“Thank you for not telling me ‘It will happen.’ I’m really tired of that.” A forced smile pressed her lips tight—
A receptionist in a bright pink dress walked out, clipboard in hand. Pushing a piece of mahogany hair behind her ear, the woman cleared her throat.
The name she was about to call would be Fleur’s parent.
The moment seemed to last forever, tension building like a terrible storm. Glenna’s breath caught in her throat as she waited.
“Glenna Mikkelson-Powers, the doctor will see you now.”
Her stomach lurched with the reality that Fleur was her baby. Her dead husband’s child.
Her hand trembled as she pressed it to her lips, as if somehow that could hold back the reality. “Gage,” she said in a tortured whisper. “Gage is Fleur’s father.”
So many thoughts jumbled on top of each other—especially the realization that Gage had cheated again in spite of his vow. He’d betrayed her. Once more.
Eyes flicking to Broderick, she took in his features and the pain there, as well. A wave seemed to knock into him, pushing against him with force. Heartache twisted his normally handsome features, made him clench his jaw.
He’d been hoping Fleur was his.
In that instant, Glenna realized how much he cared about the baby, enough to offer a relationship to a woman he didn’t love. Even though he was hurting, she realized that now his need to have Glenna as the baby’s mother was gone.
Her chance to have something real with Broderick had ended.
Because even if he still wanted to take that leap for himself or family unity, her dead husband was Fleur’s father.