The Worst News–1
Thea’s POV
I stood frozen in the kitchen, my brain struggling to process what was happening. Aurora
was back? How the fuck was that even possible?
When she left, she’d sworn she’d never return. Mom, Dad, and Roman would visit her, but
she never came back home. Not even for holidays.
Seeing her in my house was a complete shock to my system. Sebastian had told me once
that if given the chance, he’d go back to Aurora in a heartbeat. Which made this situation even more confusing. If she was back, why was Sebastian kissing me? Why was he still
with me?
I pulled myself completely out of his grasp. He cursed under his breath, though I couldn’t
tell if it was because I moved away or because Aurora had seen us kissing.
I wrapped my arms around myself, continuing to stare silently at Aurora. I tried to push
down the pain and hurt I’d endured throughout my marriage to Sebastian.
Sure, I might have hurt her, but I’d fucking paid for that mistake. Her pain from losing
Sebastian was nothing compared to the pain inflicted on me by Sebastian, my family, and his family.
“Thea,” he called my name, his voice hoarse.
I shook my head. Stepping around him, I started to leave the kitchen just as Mom and
Roman walked in.
I ignored them all and rushed upstairs.
I entered Phoenix’s room and locked the door behind me. She was still sleeping. Being careful not to make a sound, I slid down against the door until I was sitting on the floor, burying my head between my legs, fighting to hold back the tears threatening to fall.
Just minutes ago, I’d been thinking this might be a chance for Sebastian and me to start over. Now? Now I wasn’t so sure. Especially not with her back in our lives.
I tensed when I heard footsteps approaching the door. They stopped outside, and a
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The Worst News–1
moment later, there was a gentle knock.
I didn’t open it. I didn’t want to face Sebastian. I didn’t want to face any of them. Not
right now.
“Thea, please open the door.” His voice was pleading.
I didn’t answer. I just needed a minute before I could face whatever waited for me. I was
used to this. This shouldn’t affect me like this.
“Give me a minute, and I’ll come out.” My voice sounded stronger than I felt.
He said okay quietly, and I heard him walk away. I forced myself to push down my
emotions. I could deal with them later.
When I felt somewhat composed, I left the room and headed to the master bedroom.
I took a shower and changed my clothes. Once finished, I returned to Phoenix’s room to
find her awake and fussy. I changed her diaper and then sat in the rocking chair to feed
her.
“Morning, Mom,” Leo walked into the room, rubbing his eyes, just as I was adjusting my
top.
I smiled at him. “Good morning, Leo.”
“Is she awake already? I was hoping to feed her.”
“I’ve already fed her.”
He looked around the room, his gaze finally landing on us. “But I don’t see a bottle.”
Well, this was going to be an awkward explanation. I swallowed before starting.
“When she’s with me, she doesn’t need a bottle. I provide the milk,” I explained as best I
could.
This was probably new to Leo. I mean, he’d been the only child in both households for years. He’d never been around babies or nursing mothers.
“I’m confused. Why doesn’t she need a bottle when she’s with you?”
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The Worst News–1
“Because I breastfeed her,” I answered, then quietly asked, “Do you know what that
means?”
He shook his head. “No.”
“It means your mom feeds her with milk from her breasts,” Sebastian interjected, causing us to turn toward him.
