Unexpected

Chapter 31

JOANNA

It's been almost three months since Gabe and I parted ways. I wish I could say that I am now in a much better place and that I have come to terms with what happened.

I can't, though.

I resent Gabe for hiding things from me. I hate Nora for showing up and ruining everything. I just... I can't move on. Every time I go to bed, I say a silent prayer the baby is not his.

I can put on a brave face during the day and pretend my heart is not broken. The problem is when I'm alone at night. His caressing touch lingers on my skin, still leaving me with a warm feeling. The moments we shared feel like a song I can't get out of my head. His voice, like a gentle melody, drifts through my dreams.

That's how screwed up I am.

We still haven't talked, apart from that day on the beach. Maria had tried to keep me updated in the beginning, but I told her that was too hurtful. As she had predicted, Nora has been using this pregnancy to win Gabe. She went to three different doctors that he arranged for her, and all of them confirmed that due to a difficult pregnancy, it would be better to wait until the baby was born to do the paternity test. There's no way she's faking her health issues, but boy, is she using it to guilt trip Gabe?

With each day that passes, I try to convince myself that I did the right thing by leaving him. Just thinking about Gabe around her makes me nauseous. I wouldn't stand seeing it firsthand.

On the bright side, I finished writing my book.

I replayed Gabe's words in my mind, suggesting I should use my pent-up energy and turn it into writing energy. So, that's what I did. Although writing with a broken heart is incredibly difficult, I was determined to focus on the result rather than the process. I'm a professional, and I have the skills to get the job done.

In that aspect of my life, everything is going according to the plan. My new book is about to be released in two weeks. I've already got my first ARCS reviews and I'm blown away by the positive response. The publisher is arranging a book signing to celebrate the release day of the book. Many people already confirmed they're going.

Now, all I can do is hope for the best.

Scrolling through my emails, I see that the swag they sent me to give readers is already in my mailbox. As I walk outside, I can see the headlights of a car that I know well, slowing to a stop. My father. When I meet him halfway, I smile and his face lights up. I can sense his unease, and I feel a pang of remorse for never replying to his text about lunch.

"I was in the neighborhood..." He flashes me a quick, hesitant smile. "I thought I'd stop by to see how you're doing."

My heart warms at the lie. He has no reason to be in this area apart from visiting me.

"Would you like to come in?" I ask. "I just made some coffee."

"I would love to." He nods. "Thank you."

It's weird having him follow me to the kitchen. Even though he's the one who bought this house, he's only been here once to give me the keys.

Looking at him, I notice how older he looks. Like he's a different person, but also my father. We had such a good relationship before everything went down with him and my mother that it's been hard to let go of the resentment.

"Here," I offer him a mug, motioning for him to sit at the kitchen table as I get sugar, cream, and some cookies I bought yesterday.

"Thank you." He clears his throat, obviously feeling awkward too.