“Until she did,” I pointed out, reminding him that she had gotten clingy and started wanting more. I released a huge, weary sigh. “You’re going to have to talk to her, Ax. Might as well do it sooner rather than later, I guess.”

He crushed me against his chest, kissing the top of my head. “I’m so sorry, Blaire. I thought I was being safe; I swear to God. I don’t know how this happened.” He lifted my chin with his knuckle and kissed my lips softly. “Please tell me you don’t hate me, baby.”

I had mixed emotions. I loved him, but I was fucking hurt. And pissed. “Of course, I don’t hate you, Ax, but this sucks big fat donkey balls.”

“I know, Bear. I’ll go down and get her. You go wipe your eyes. Don’t let her see you cry, okay?” I nodded and headed to the bathroom. I came back out ten minutes later to find Axel and Milan seated beside each other on the couch. Axel’s eyes darted between her face and her belly, which made me nauseous, but I had given myself a pep talk in the bathroom. I was going to handle this with grace and class.

And I was going to try to refrain from gagging.

I cleared my throat, and they both turned to me. “Can I get you something to drink?” I asked politely.

“Tea, please, baby,” Axel said before turning to Milan.

“The same,” she said shortly, and it irked the shit out of me that she hadn’t said “please” or even bothered to look at me. Be nice, Blaire. Don’t be a petty Betty, I chanted to myself.

I went into the kitchen and poured two glasses of sweet, iced tea, even cutting up a lemon and adding a slice as a garnish on the edge of each tall, clear glass. I listened at the door like a creeper for a moment.

“I thought you would be more excited, Axel. Becoming a father for the first time is supposed to be exciting,” I heard Milan whine.

“Milan, uh, this isn’t my first child. Blaire and I have a daughter together. Her name’s Carrie, and she—”

If possible, her voice seemed to grow even more shrill and whiny as she cut him off. “But I wanted to give you your first baby, Axel.” What the fuck did she want him to do? Stick Carrie back inside me until she popped out her kid? “Well, I’m pretty sure we’re having a boy, so at least I’ll be able to give you your first son,” she said in a coy, overly sweet voice. Gag.