Chasing His Rejected Wife
Chapter 20 -

A nurse came in as I perched on the edge of my bed, bracing myself to stand up and go to the bathroom. "Need some help?" She asked, coming to stand beside me.

"Yes, please." I replied with a smile of gratitude. I hated using the bedpan, preferring to make the short trip to the en suite bathroom than perching undignified on a cold receptacle in bed.

Slowly, she helped me up, taking most of my weight with the ease of experience. Most of the aches and pains that had plagued me the day before had eased somewhat, so movement was no longer difficult for me.

"Your husband's outside." Tia informed me as we shuffled into the bathroom, her voice had a knowing tilt to it that made my cheeks heat up with embarrassment.

"Mmmn," I murmured, noncommittal. I was aware the nurses were curious about the fact that I still hadn't let Aiden in to see me yet and our affairs most likely a source of endless speculation among them.

I knew I couldn't avoid him forever, sooner or later, I'd have to grow some balls, face my husband and have that talk I'd been putting off. Tia left me alone to do my business and once I was done, I stood in front of the mirror and stared at my reflection, wincing at the haggard face that stared back at me.

Red rimmed eyes, the skin around puffy and lined with dark circles. My skin was dry and dull and my hair was a bird's nest. With a sigh, I looked away and opened the door.

"I'm going to take a shower," I told Nurse Tia who was busy straightening the bed. "Can you let my husband inside in about fifteen minutes?"

"Sure thing." Tia replied cheerfully. "Need help?"

"No, thanks. I think I can handle it." At her nod of approval, I shut the door, took off the hospital gown and stepped into the shower, turning the hot water knob as far as it would go.

Minutes later, feeling refreshed and in a fresh set of clothes, I sat down on a chair by the coffee table, turned on the TV and braced myself as Aiden walked in.

One look at him and I was glad I'd taken time to freshen up or I would have felt horribly inadequate next to him.

Even dressed as casually as he was today in a blue button down shirt layered over a gray Henley, sleeves pushed up to reveal his veiny forearms, black chinos and black dress shoes, the outfit only heightened the sex appeal he exuded with such effortless grace. And to make matters worse, I could feel myself being affected by it, if the way my pulse began to race that much faster was an indication.

Get a hold of yourself. I scolded internally.

"Jess." He greeted, his voice the consistency of warm honey, gaze moving over me in cool assessment, missing nothing. His eyes lingered on my stomach and my hands, resting on the arms of the chair curled up into fists as I stopped myself from putting my arms over my belly.

"Aiden." Despite my efforts to remain calm, my voice was high pitched and strained which made me want to crawl back into bed and Bury my head under the covers. I tilted my head back to look at him as he came to stand in front of me, my nostrils flaring as his scent enveloped my senses.

"How are you feeling?" Aiden lowered himself onto the opposite armchair, stretching his long legs towards me.

"I've been better." I said with a shrug, hoping I looked calm and not nervous. I decided to get right to the point. "Vincent told me how you saved me and my baby. Thank you."

If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! His lips twisted in displeasure, eyes narrowing. "Our baby, I believe?"

I tamped down a flash of irritation. I wasn't the one who was sleeping around, was I? "Yes. Our baby. But that doesn't change the fact that I appreciate what you did."

He sighed heavily and rubbed his face with his hands. "It wasn't just me, a lot of people were also involved in making sure you and the baby were safe."

I felt a twinge of guilt at the exhaustion in his expression and also upon recalling Vincent's recounting of the events. Aiden had risked being arrested, or worse, getting into a deadly accident just to get me to the hospital.

"Yeah, Vincent told me about the police helping out." I murmured, absently rubbing my belly. "But it was you who took the risk for both of us, so I can't help but feel like I owe you the most."

He leaned forward slightly and fixed me with an intense stare. "Then may I call in on that debt now? Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?"

I laughed bleakly. "Are you really asking me that?"

Rather than respond, Aiden continued to pin me with that intense stare, his expression an intriguing mix of anger and betrayal which made no sense at all. Why act betrayed when he was the one who had been sneaking around with Elisa? Finally, unable to bear the weight of that stare, I caved. "You want me to spell it out for you? Fine. I was scared, okay? I know damn well what you think of me and my 'schemes'," I spat out the word in derision, "And the last thing I wanted to hear was you accusing me of using an innocent child to trap you. Satisfied?"

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Something flickered in his expression that looked very much like guilt, but it was gone so fast I wasn't certain. He leaned back and folded his arms across his chest, a muscle ticking in his jaw.

"I see." The words came out clipped, like he was trying to hold on to his temper. "So, when were you planning to tell me? After the divorce?"

I looked away, unable to answer as a guilty flush suffused my cheeks. Reading my reaction, his expression darkened further and he looked shaken.

"You were going to keep the child's existence a secret?" He sounded disbelieving, as he raked a hand through his hair, ruining the perfect style and his voice hardened as he continued. "I don't believe this. What was the plan, Jess? To disappear into thin air once the divorce is finalized and indulge in some foolish notion that you would raise the child...my child...without a father?"

I forced myself to meet his gaze defiantly. "And what if I did? I am trying to do what's best for everyone. Even if I told you about the baby, what then? What would you do? Insist we stay in this hell of a marriage where I continue to play the dutiful little wife sitting at home nursing a child you never wanted in the first place while you spend all your time with Elisa and the offspring you actually want?"

This time, there was no mistaking the guilt that crossed his expression at my outburst and he actually winced, stood up and began to pace, swearing under his breath.

I leaned forward, gathering up more steam as I let out all the pent up feelings. "No, Aiden. I grew up in a home exactly like that, and had to endure my father's indifference towards the daughter he never wanted. I had to pretend it was okay that he never spent time with me, that it was normal as I watched him give all his love to the sons he had with another woman while my mother and I stood in the sideline, starving for even the littlest bit of attention from him."

"I made the decision to spare my own child that sort of dreary fate. So yes, Aiden. I am prepared to raise this child alone if it means that it'll never have to feel the sting of being rejected by a father who doesn't love them."