The Billionaire's Secret Love Child(108)

I laughed.

“And that!” I pointed at his face. “What is that? You’re so--so--”

“So what?” his face came closer to mine, challenging me.

I waved my hand and stepped away, gesturing toward him.

“The suit and tie, the tall, dark and shy, businessman--who the heck is that?”

“It’s me,” Matty pointed his thumb to his chest. “You wouldn’t know, because you’ve been gone, remember? And, by the way, what gives you the right to criticize me about moving on when you waltz in with a child.”

I pursed my lips.

“Clearly,” he said. “You hold to a double standard. And--I’m not going to be the bad guy here.”

We parted ways rather quickly. Allison had finished her call, I was already out the door, and Matty Gordon was just a remnant of my past life.

I could feel the inside of my chest swelling up, but I was caught between wanting to be angry or to cry. I didn’t say anything when Matthew brought up Philip. I had meant to let him know. But the way that everything went down, it seemed like it would only make matters worse.

In every way that I played the scenario in my head, it kept ending up the same way. Matthew was right about one thing. In this story, I was the bad guy who came in to ruin everything. Again.



Chapter 3



“It’s huuuge!” Philip’s eyes grew wide as we walked into the large barn. A few mares chewed on the fresh feed they received. My father slung another sack onto his shoulder, making his way down toward the back stalls.

“This little thing?” he chuckled. “You oughta see them big rigs they got over on the Gordon property.”

I felt myself sigh at the mention, but I was determined not to let the week’s earlier interactions ruin my day. It was an exciting adventure for Philip, who had taken to country living quite well, apparently. With everything seeming a complete novelty, he and my father got along far too well, with Philip asking so many questions and my father proudly standing by to answer.

“I can’t believe I am seeing a real life cow!”

Philip squealed as we reached the end stall.

“You better believe it, kid.”

My father let the sack down.

The stall was wider than the others, with fresh hay piled in. A brown and white female cow, with her middle bulged and round, chewed at the fresh hay.

“She’s due in a couple of weeks. Had Doc Lewis out here for a check-up the other day, and she seems to be doing jus’ fine.”

“Can we see the goats now?” Philip jumped up after his short fascination with the expectant mother cow.

My dad laughed. “So you saw them runnin’ around out back, didn’t you?”

Philip’s eyes grew wide and puppy-eyed.

“Oh, come on,” I said. “You know we’ll be right behind you.”

My father and I followed behind as Philip ran out of the barn and headed toward the back yard, where the goat pen was.

The sound of a car coming down the gravel grabbed my attention. Down the long winding driveway, a slick, black car made its way through.

I shot a glance to my father. He held up his hands in defeat.

“I’m sorry, Erin. Nothing’s final...but…”

I sighed and turned to follow after Philip.

“No, I get. It’s none of my business.”

“Erin, come on…” my dad called out to me. “Erin, please, you have to--auugh!”

His sudden cry turned me around. My father clenched at his chest as his knees hit to the ground. I ran toward my father and held him up.

“Dad, Dad are you okay?”

Matty’s car came to a screeching stop. The door flung open and his footsteps ran toward me.

“Hurry, an ambulance won’t get here in time. We have to get him to the hospital.”

Matty came and brought himself next to my dad, bringing his arm around his shoulder for support. Everything whirred around, and I found myself just going through the motions. I called out to Philip as Matty and I brought my dad into his car. I sat, shaken and silent the whole way.



Gordonville’s hospital was a small one, which made it feel even more claustrophobic. Philip slept nearby in the lobby with my jacket draped over him. I couldn’t bring myself to sit patiently, and instead nervously paced around the room.

Matty was outside taking a phone call. The glass doors of the lobby slid open as he pocketed his phone and came inside. He looked different today, more relaxed. He wore slacks with a knit sweater, and his hair was combed, but not as neatly parted. It looked like he hadn’t shaved that morning. He looked natural, even handsome...and I almost felt drawn to him.

Old habits, I figured.

“Still no word?” he said, his hands in his pockets.

“Not yet,” I said. “He’s stabilized, but they’re still running tests right now, and not letting us see him.”

“You should really get some rest,” he said.

“It’s 11:30 in the morning,” I folded my arms over my chest. “I don’t need rest.”

Philip began to stir in his spot.

“Then at least let me get you both some food,” he said. “The cafeteria is just around the corner. We’ll be here if anything happens.”