DENNIS


    Now that I heard her mouth those words, I knew I wouldn''t be able to hide the sad downturn on my lips. Still forcing the smile on my face on, I nodded in Cole''s direction and got out of my seat.


    Inguidly walked toward the deserted pool table just by the door outside the bar.


    There, with no familiar eyes on me, I let the fake smile slide away.


    "Dennis?"


    The excitement in her voice had dimmed. I didn''t want her happiness to wane because of me.


    "Can you hear me? Sorry, it''swork."


    "I thought so too. It''s okay. I can hear you now."


    "I said I''m pregnant." She gasped. I could imagine her beaming and cupping her mouth as she usually did whenever she was happy about something. "Can you believe that?"


    I smiled at the image of her that I conjured up. "Great news. I''m so happy for you, babe," I told her genuinely.


    I was actually relieved by the news. All week, she had been strung up, worried that the procedure might not work. It was a relief that she wouldn''t have to worry so much anymore. Amie''s full recovery was also one step forward now.


    The only issue was who fathered the child. I clenched my hand and briefly closed my eyes. I really wished someone else could carry the pregnancy in her ce. But it wasn''t possible. I''d have to watch her carry her ex-lover''s child. It''s cool, I told myself and forced a smile on. She''s still my wife anyway. It doesn''t matter whose baby she''s carrying, she''s mine.


    "Gosh. I just cannot contain my excitement, Dennis. Do you know what this means?"


    "I understand. This is just the best news."


    She then went on and on about how she was more hopeful about Amie''s recovery and all.


    Finally, she got off the topic and asked, "When will you be home?"


    I nced down at the wristwatch that was strapped around my wrist. "I''ll be home soon."


    She sighed happily. "I''ll see you at home."


    Long after the call ended, I remained there, trying to convince myself that it was alright. She bearing Aiden a child to save Amie will change nothing between us.


    With a heavy heart, I returned to Cole.


    As I dropped into my seat, Cole grinned up at me. "Congrats man."


    I quirked my brows at him. "Congrats for what?


    He touched my knee in that teasing way again. "For the good news. I didn''t mean to probe but I heard when she excitedly said she was pregnant just before you excused yourself."


    I managed a smile and simply nodded.


    Should I be the man receiving the congrattions or Aiden? It''s his baby, afterall.


    "You good, man?" Cole leaned forward, his brows scrunched together in a frown.


    "Oh yeah. Why do you ask?"


    His gaze roamed my face, then he said, "You don''t look too happy. I mean, you''re expecting a baby. You should be esctatic. If my girlfriend tells me we''re expecting a baby right now, I''ll be the happiest man on earth." All I could do was nod and stretch my lips into a faux smile. "I am happy."


    He scoffed. "Come on, man. You aren''t. It''s so freaking obvious."


    Thank goodness I wasn''t present with Ana. I wouldn''t want her to begin to worry that I wasn''t happy for her after I''d told her it was okay. I just hoped I sounded convincing enough over the phone. "Dennis?"


    He pulled me out of my thoughts. When my gaze found his, he asked, "Are you okay?"


    I took a deep breath and leaned forward, rubbing my palm across my face. "It''splicated."


    He looked puzzled. "What''splicated about that? She''s carrying your baby. It''s direct and understandable."N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    Talking about some problems in


    one''s life barely solved it. I knew telling Cole about this one seemingly big problem in my marriage would not solve anything. It wasn''t like he would miraculously heal Amie anyway but it might make one feel... less miserable?


    "That''s where you''ve got it wrong, Cole. She''s not carrying my baby."


    He blinked and stared at me as he processed what I''d just said. Then he asked slowly, "What?"


    A mirthlessugh rumbled up my throat. "You should see your face right now."


    He gaped at me. "This isn''t funny, man. You just said the child isn''t yours. Aren''t you guys like married? How is she pregnant for someone else?"


    "Amie, the girl at the hospital..."


    He bobbed his head, "Yes, your stepdaughter."


    I nodded. "She''s sick. And the only safe way out is to go through a process called the sibling savior procedure..."


    When I was done with my narration, Cole let out a deep breath. "Wow. How can you stomach all of these, man?"


    I love her, I wanted to say. My love for Ana and Amie was the only reason I was still in the marriage. The only reason this was happening.


    He shook his head. "This is so messed up. I can see why you wouldn''t be happy."


    "I''m happy though," I told him. "Ana will stop worrying so much about Amie and Amie will get well."


    He shook his head as if to say something but he decided against it. "I don''t even know what to say."


    I reclined in my seat and toyed with my phone. I tried to picture Ana carrying my child but all I coulde up with was Aiden getting in-between us. It was sad that after so many years, Aiden was still an issue for us.


    "But..." Cole trailed off then began


    trailed


    again. "I understand that you love Anastasia but why do you care for the guy''s daughter? ce her on higher doses of chemotherapy She''d eventually survive, it just might take longer."


    I gaped at him. "Are you serious right now?"


    He shrugged. "If I were in your shoes I wouldn''t allow it." He sat up. He was taking the issue more seriously than I expected, or even wanted, his brows knitted in concentration. " mean I''m sorry but that''s dumb. It doesn''t matter if the other guy is also married. They were lovers for years! They even had a child


    together. Heck man! What were you thinking?!"


    Yep. Cole was the wrongest person to share this with. He would never be able toprehend it. Never. After all, he had a pretty rtionship.


    As he continued to tell me how wrong everything could go and how bad my decision was, I resisted the urge to give him a piece of my mind. The longer he talked, the more annoyed I became.


    So as to not cause a ruckus that could very well be avoided, I scrolled to my ringtone and yed it.


    Cole stopped talking and his gaze fell on my phone. Then he looked up at me.


    I raised the phone. "I really need to get this."