Not his baby: A BWWM Billionaire Romance

by Rebecca Dupree

  But then that meant that weasel would send Tyler the documents. He’d know everything, and he would leave her. There would be no reason for him to stay. The child wasn’t his, Gina lied to him about everything, she betrayed him—marriage over. Gina would be back at square one, and even worse off than she was before. But that wasn’t the worst thing. The worst thing was that she felt like losing Tyler would be too much, like she wouldn’t be able to handle such a blow. Perhaps I should just leave him before he finds out everything, she suddenly thought. Maybe that is the only way out. She could do it, on her own terms, and maybe, just maybe, it wouldn’t be as painful. Maybe that way, she could survive all this heartbreak.

  She had no idea what to do, where to turn to. Back in the day, her mother was her rock, her shoulder to cry on, and now, she had no one. Sure, Jill was there, but Jill couldn’t possibly understand the gravity of the situation. And Jill would probably urge her to pay the guy.

  Gina sighed. She paid for her coffee and headed on home. While she was walking to the coffee shop, everything seemed blissful. The city was illuminated and colorful, filled with vibrant people going about their business. Now, the environment seemed to have changed completely. There were only gray people in suits, rushing off somewhere, home possibly, after a long day’s work. Their shoulders were slumped, as if they were carrying the weight of the world on them. Gina felt exactly the same.

  There was no other way. She had to call Jill and hear what she had to say.

  “Hey, Jill? Could we meet somewhere?”

  “I’m kinda in the middle of something. How about tonight?”

  “Jill, please. It’s serious.”

  “Well, why didn’t you say so in the first place?” Jill’s voice sounded reassuring. Jill could be a little selfish, and her world view was largely different from Gina’s, but there was a good reason the two had been friends for years. “Meet me at my place. I’ll be there in an hour and a half, two tops, depending on traffic.”

  “Thanks, Jill. I really appreciate it.”

  “Gosh, Gin-Gin. You sound bad. Is it bad?” Jill’s voice was caring and worried.

  “I’ll tell you all about it later. See ya.” Gina hung up the phone. It was too much. Just as she was finally starting to settle in and be happy with her life, this had to happen.

  “Fate. You can’t escape it.” She could hear her mother’s voice yet again.

  Gina still had the keys to Jill’s place, so she let herself in. The place hadn’t changed a bit since she’d lived there, but then again, why should it? Jill had no commitments. She was the boss of her own time and she could spend it how and with whomever she wished. The same went for her apartment. Whoever didn’t like it as it was could just get out. Gina looked around. It was still a little messy, but that was how Jill functioned. Creative mess—that’s what she called it. And strangely enough, Jill knew exactly where everything was. Gina smiled to herself. Tyler would have a heart attack if he had to spend the night here, being the neat freak that he was. She sighed. Her heart ached for him, for her, for the baby whose future was now hanging by a thread.

  “Sorry I’m late.”

  Gina heard the front door open and then slam shut.

  “The traffic was a nightmare.” Jill took off her black leather jacket and threw herself on the sofa next to Gina. “Now, tell me, what’s this all about.” There was genuine concern in Jill’s voice. Gina sighed heavily, then started.

  “Do you remember that guy from work I told you about?”

  “The only guy from work I remember was Tyler, and you bagged him. Who else is important enough that we have to talk about him?” Jill tried to make her smile, and it worked.

  “No, the other guy. The little man syndrome guy?”

  “Oh, I remember! What was his name…Ben?”

  “Yeah, Ben.”

  “So, what about him?”

  “Well, Tyler fired him recently.” Gina was picking her nails as she tried to tell Jill exactly what happened. “And I think he blames me for it.” Her palms were sweaty. She was getting nervous just talking about him.

  “Why would he blame you?” Jill was surprised. “Did you do something to get him fired?”

  “No, of course not. You know me better than that. But he still thinks it’s my fault somehow. And what’s worse, he’s out to get revenge.”

  “What do you mean?” Jill could almost see the dark cloud of misery hanging above Gina’s head.

  “He knows that Tyler isn’t the father of my child.” Gina barely whispered these words, and Jill fell back in shock.

  “What does he know?”

  “Everything.” Gina explained. “He must have hired a detective or something. I have no idea. All I know is that he approached me right before I called you, and told me he’d go to Tyler and tell him everything unless I pay him half a million dollars.”

  “Half a million?” Jill’s eyes widened in disbelief. She shook her head. “Do you have that kind of money?” she asked, though she knew the answer well enough.

  “Of course not,” Gina said. “It’s all Tyler’s money. I mean, he’s been giving me some for baby expenses and to spend on myself, but you know I’ve been using that money to pay off my debt, little by little. I can’t have him know that.”

  “This is a huge mess, Gin-Gin.” Jill didn’t know what else to say. “So, what are you gonna do?”

  “I have no idea.” Gina caressed her belly. All she wanted was to have her little bundle of joy taken care of, any way she could. “I think it’s best just to leave.”

  “Leave Tyler?”

  “Well…don’t you think so?”

  “I don’t know what to think. And besides, it’s something you must decide on your own, Gina. I can help you only so much.”

  “I know…and I also know that finding out this isn’t his child would be devastating for him. So maybe it’s best just to disappear for a while. That should buy me some time until I figure out what to do about this weasel that wants to skin me alive.”

  “So, you’ve decided?”

  Gina closed her eyes. She wasn’t sure. How could she be sure?

  “I have to destroy everything I love. Everything I have created for this little sweetheart here.” She placed her hands gently on her belly again. “I don’t want to…but I must. It’s better that he hates us for this than for the truth. The truth is much too difficult to handle.”

  Suddenly, she couldn’t hold back the tears anymore, and she fell into Jill’s arms. Jill had no words to say, but just being there, as a shoulder to cry on, was enough for Gina to gather her strength and wipe the tears from her eyes.

  “Thanks for being here, Jill.”

  “No need to thank me. Do you need me to be there with you? Or just to wait for you? Anything?”

  “No.” Gina shook her head. “I’ll be fine. I have to do this on my own. He deserves that much.”

  Gina had no idea how she was going to break it to Tyler. How does one say something like this? Is there any way of it not destroying him?

  She had no idea.

  Chapter 17

  That evening, she found her favorite dress and put it on. It was slightly more fitting than usual. Still, Gina thought she looked wonderful. She was glowing, and it was all because of her little bundle of joy.

  “It’ll be just you and me pretty soon.” She spoke to her belly in the mirror. “But don’t you worry. Momma’s gonna make sure you have everything in life, I swear.” She felt another surge of tears coming on and she didn’t want to ruin her makeup. The least she could do was have one last family dinner with the husband she adored before she told him that she was leaving him for whatever reason she managed to think of at that moment.

  “Wow, you look amazing!” Tyler immediately stood up from the dining room table and approached her. “It was worth the wait.” He kissed her on the forehead. She only managed to smile a little.

  “I hope you like it.” She was referring to the food, which was smartly laid out on th
e table. “I’m no chef, but I did try.”

  “You shouldn’t have bothered with this,” he told her. “Not in your condition. But it all looks delicious, and I’m sure it tastes even better.”

  They both sat down at the table. Tyler immediately started eating. He had just come back from work, and she figured he was starving. She even felt a little sorry making him wait so that she could get all dressed up and set the mood in the dining room. She was just devastated that there was such a horrible agenda behind it.

  “It’s really good,” Tyler said with his mouth full, and she laughed.

  “You don’t have to rush. There’s plenty to go around.” She poked him.

  “You aren’t eating?” He looked at her empty plate. She looked down and, as if with great difficulty, picked up the fork.

  “I am.” She took a little bit of salad. “Just not very hungry.”

  “You have to take care of yourself, and of our little bun that’s being baked as we speak.” He gazed at her. “I am so impatient. This is the first time ever in my life that I actually can’t wait to have something. Probably because I never wanted anything else in my life this much. I’m counting the days, and it never seems close enough. I don’t know how I’m gonna handle another two months of this anticipation!” He shook his head, pretending that he was in horrible pain and she couldn’t help but laugh, even though deep down, his every word stabbed her right through the heart.

  “Well, ummm…” she started, but didn’t know how to continue. “There is actually something I wanted to talk to you about.”

  “Oh, why so serious?” he asked jokingly. He stood up and walked towards her with a mischievous gleam in his eye. “You know, I’ve had so many serious and important conversations today, and I don’t think I could take another one. So, I was thinking…” He caressed her bare shoulder before kissing the same spot. “Maybe we could do something more fun than talking…” he whispered in her ear, as he was now standing behind her, his palms massaging her delicate neck. “And if afterwards you still want to talk, I promise to listen…” His lips were now on her neck, and she could feel all her hairs standing on an end. Her entire body was attuned to what he was doing, to what he was saying, and there was no way she could deny him this pleasure when she wanted it more than he did. After all, would it be so terrible? she asked herself as he kept kissing her passionately. One more time? For old times’ sake…

  She had made up her mind long before these thoughts materialized in her mind, and she already had her arms around him. Suddenly, he hoisted her up in his big, strong arms and carried her to the bedroom. She was surprised that he could still carry her, given that she weighed more now, but she immediately shook these thoughts away, focusing on what was happening right at that moment. She returned his kisses with an equal passion that burned deep within, and in her mind, she begged him to explore her body with his hands, his fingers, his kisses. As if he heard her, he dropped her gently on the bed and stood above her. He took her left leg and started kissing it, slowly working his way upward. When he reached her underwear, he stopped, and did the same with her other leg. Soft butterfly kisses were being showered upon her, gradually building their way up.

  But then his tempo and tune changed radically. He bit on her underwear and tore it with his teeth. Her eyes widened in shock, but the last thing she wanted was for him to stop. He slowly spread her flower with his fingers, licking it gently. In a blink of an eye, his pants were down and he was on top of her, careful of his position. His lips pressed hard against hers. Her nails dug deeply into his skin as he entered her with one powerful thrust. She sighed heavily, closing her eyes and arching her back. He propped himself up on his hands and kept pushing in. In a matter of seconds, it was done, and yet, she felt electrified, completely charged up, and inside her mind was bliss.

  “Come here…” He invited her to lie down on his shoulder, and she did. He kissed her forehead, and breathed in the sweet fragrance of her hair. “You are gorgeous. I love you so much.”

  “I love you, too.” She closed her eyes. She didn’t lie.

  His eyes were also closed, but for a very different reason. He was exhausted and about to fall asleep.

  “Wait…” He suddenly opened his eyes and moved away a little, to be able to look at her. “Wasn’t there something you wanted to tell me?”

  “Oh…” She buried her face deeply into his chest. “We can talk about it tomorrow.”

  Her answer pleased him, and after giving her a goodnight kiss, they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

  Chapter 18

  The following morning, Gina woke up before Tyler. She propped herself up in the bed and looked at him. He slept so peacefully. And he was such a handsome man. Too handsome, she sometimes thought. Too handsome for her, and yet, somehow, she got him. Like any other woman, she had been proud to have such a catch by her side. But it was more than that. During this time, she had gotten to know the real him, not the Tyler Reid that was known to the public. She realized that people like him needed to split their personality and decide which one was public and available for everyone, and which one was hidden and reserved for only the select few. She never knew how hard it must have been for him to keep private and public separate. And yet, he managed.

  Today, she was going to leave him. She had promised herself that. There was no point in prolonging the torture. It was best to do it suddenly, like ripping off a band-aid. First, she thought she would talk to him and try to explain, but then she realized she did not have the strength for that. She knew it would be the coward’s way out, but she decided she would wait until he left for work that morning and then she would pack her stuff and leave him a note. Of course, he would want to talk about it, and she would agree and discuss it, but it would already be out there and she wouldn’t have to say half of the things she didn’t want to. The coward’s way out, yes, but the least painful one.

  That morning, Tyler was unusually cheerful and it made Gina feel even worse.

  “You okay, babe?” he asked her while brushing his teeth, peeking around the bathroom door.

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” she replied, trying to sound normal. “Just a little nauseous.”

  “I know it must be tough.” He spat and rinsed his mouth. “But think about it. Just two months more and we’re done.” He was wiping his face with a towel, winking at her as he did so.

  She nodded, a bleak smile on her face. She was still in bed, under the pretext of feeling a little dizzy. Tyler brought her a hot cup of cocoa and a little vase with a sunflower in it.

  “Where on Earth did you find a sunflower this early in the morning?” She laughed at this sweet surprise.

  “Had it in my pocket all along.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “To let you know that you are my sunshine. My only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray!” He started singing and she couldn’t stop laughing. His singing voice was horrible. It was probably one of the rare things he didn’t do that well, but she didn’t have the heart to tell him.

  “Okay, okay, Sinatra…” She continued laughing. “You’ll be late to work.”

  “Right, Nancy.”

  She giggled. He got dressed quickly and rushed out the door.

  “Meet for lunch today?” He sounded hopeful. She totally forgot that she promised him they’d go out to lunch.

  “Ummm, yeah. Sure.” Then she quickly added, as if she just remembered something, “Jill mentioned needing me for something today, so not sure if that’s still happening. I’ll let you know.” She caressed his cheek apologetically.

  “Alright.” He was fine. She loved the fact that he never expected her to be available to him twenty-four hours a day. He knew she had a life before him and was happy to allow her to keep it. “Let me know what the plan is. If not before, I’ll see ya tonight. And say hello to Jill for me.” He grabbed his coat and car keys, gave her a peck on the cheek and rushed out the door.

  When she was finally alone, she felt like something was stuck in he
r throat. She wasn’t suffocating, but she couldn’t breathe properly either. She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. It took her several minutes of inactivity, but she still didn’t feel better, so she decided to start packing. Nothing will make me feel better, so why wait any longer?

  She took only a few things of hers from the wardrobe. She decided not to take any of the fancy, expensive dresses and other things Tyler had given her. She only grabbed what was truly hers, what she brought into this lovely home. In the end, that was all she would need. She filled up one small suitcase and then sat down at her vanity table. Nothing was missing from it. She had left everything.

  She took a small notepad and a pen, and stopped her hand mid-air. What should she write? Should it be long, explaining everything in detail, or should she keep it short and to the point? Both ways seemed wrong. She should just talk to him, but she was afraid he would convince her she was doing the wrong thing, that she would eventually stay with him and everything would be revealed by that horrible man. There was no way in hell she was going to pay him that insane amount of money. And the only way out was for Tyler to find out everything. He would hate her. She knew it. She knew he wouldn’t accept this child as his and he would end up hating them both. This way, he would hate her, but not for the right reason, and she could live with it.

  She started writing.

  Tyler,

  I can’t do it. I’m leaving. Please don’t hate me.

  Love,

  Gina.

  She lowered her hand and reread what she had written several times. It said nothing. Just what she was doing. She didn’t want to explain. But she had to start somewhere. She took the piece of paper and pressed it against her heart. She could feel it beating inside her chest like crazy. She put the note on his pillow and went to get her suitcase, which was waiting for her by the door.