Chapter 5 Two months is all I need

Taylor

"Who's the father?"

For a second, I thought I'd misheard him.

My brain froze, my heart stuttered.

"What?" My voice cracked, thin as glass. "What are you talking about?"

A smirk curved his lips,lazy, dangerous. Those green eyes, the ones I used to drown in, looked at me like they were dissecting every secret I had ever tried to bury.

"Don't act like you didn't hear me, Tay." His tone was sharp, quiet, and lethal. "Who's the father of the baby you're carrying?"

My breath caught. The air turned heavier, thicker. His gaze darkened with every heartbeat I refused to answer. That darkness, it was the same one I saw the night he smashed a mirror and whispered, "You made me this way".

I forced out a nervous laugh, my voice trembling. "What are you even saying? Do I look pregnant to you? Even if I was, I'd never tell your corpse!"

He reached for my hair, fingertips grazing a strand, and I flinched as if burned.

"Devon, it's none of your business. If you're that stuck in the past, go buy a time machine and relive your glory days!"

His steps were unhurried as he closed the distance between us, his presence swallowing the room. "It is my business," he said, his voice low, dark, dangerous, "because you became my employee."

My pulse roared in my ears. His nearness was suffocating. I wanted him far away from me as soon as possible. I couldn't stand being next to him.

I forced a smirk. "Seeing you this desperate about my life choices is hilarious. Stop playing detective and sit your perfect billionaire ass down, Mr. CEO."

A flash of irritation crossed his face. "Who is he? Is he a billionaire like me?"

"Even if he was, he'd still be twice the man you'll ever be."

His jaw flexed. "Who is he, Taylor?"

"You don't get to ask me that," I shot back, voice shaking despite myself.

"Then who does?" he pressed, closing in until his breath brushed my skin. "The man who replaced me?"

"This isn't about you."

"It's always about me," he snapped, then lowered his voice again, voice dripping with that familiar arrogance. "Because you and I never ended. We just... paused."

Paused? What does he take me for? For a minute, I thought he had lost his memory. He cheated on me and now he's acting like I threw the divorce papers on his face for nothing.

"That's delusional."

"Maybe." His eyes searched mine, softer now. "But you're shaking. Why?"

I pressed a hand to my stomach, trying to steady my voice. "Because every time you open your mouth, I remember why I left."

He smiled faintly, the kind that hurt to look at. "Is that why you went for a man who..."

"Shut up!" My voice cracked. "He keeps his dick in his pants, for one! He's not an alcoholic, and definitely not an obsessive loser!"

He clutched his chest, feigning offense. "Wow. I just realized something..you must have really thought of me when you had sex with him."

That did it.

"God, you're pathetic!" My rage boiled over.

That's when I shoved him hard. My palms hit his chest, the thud echoing. He stumbled half a step and looked more surprised than hurt. I expected it.

"Stay out of my life, Devon."

"Tell me whose child it is and I will."

"You wouldn't believe me even if I told you."

"Try me."

"Like I said..it's none of your concern."

He exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his jaw. "You always did know how to drive me insane."

"Then maybe you should've let me go when you had the chance."

He stepped closer again. "Does he know you still cry in your sleep?"

I froze, fingers trembling on the edge of the desk. "Don't."

He kept going, softer now, crueler because of it. "Does he know you still hate thunderstorms? That you twist your ring finger when you're lying?"

My throat burned. "You don't get to remember me like that. So, shut the fuck up!"

"Then stop giving me reasons to."

When I turned, he was suddenly right there..so close our breaths mingled. His eyes weren't just angry anymore. They were aching.

What does he think? That I'd fall in love with eyes and kiss him. Of course not! He cheated on me and now he won't let go. It's not my fault he couldn't keep it in his pants.

"Was any of it real?" he asked quietly. "Or were you already planning your exit while I was planning forever?"

"Don't do this," I whispered.

"I just need to know."

"You want the truth?" My voice broke. "You were everything I wanted. And you ruined it."

The words shattered something between us. His eyes flickered, pain, guilt, longing, all hidden behind that stubborn pride. I knew Devon, he was once a sweet and nice person that a woman would fall high over heels for. How did he change? It was a mystery.

"Then congratulations, Taylor," he said, voice low. "You finally learned how to hurt first."

"Better than waiting to be destroyed."

He leaned in, breath hot against my ear. "And I bet you'll name him Devon."

My hand moved before my mind could stop it, I slapped him. The sound cracked through the room.

"I don't have time for your bullshit," I hissed. "Mess with me here and I'll bury your reputation so deep, not even your billions will dig it up."

My palm throbbed, but he didn't flinch and looked unfazed. He only smiled, a slow, dangerous smile that sent shivers down my spine.

"Call me whatever you want, Tay," he murmured. "Obsessive, foolish, broken. But in two months..." He tilted his head, voice dropping to a whisper. "You'll be begging to remember what my name feels like on your tongue."

My breath hitched. "You're pitifully disgusting."

He laughed softly, like the devil amused. Then his gaze sharpened, voice dipping to something almost tender but laced with threat.

When I turn, he's closer again, too close. His expression softens just a fraction, enough to make breathing harder.

"I'm going to get you, Taylor," he said. " Even if it means burning the whole world."

I steadied myself, masking the shake in my voice with a smile. "Good luck with that. He will sue the hell out of you for digging into my records." I stepped closer, eyes daring him. "And no one will ever know who the father is... or who I'm with."

His smirk faltered for a moment, then returned, lazy, confident, dangerous.

"Keep your secrets," he murmured. "But remember, secrets don't stay buried forever. Especially not with me."

" And finally, why invite you for a marriage contract that'd end when I can finally have you for myself in the next two months! "

Irritation burned in me as I stood one more second. His words were deafening and I couldn't listen any longer.

Then he added stopping me in my tracks, " You know..if you tell me now. I'll spare him but once I find him myself, I'll bring his head to you..with his torso dickless"

He brushed past me as he left, his cologne burning itself into my memory, and for the first time in years... I couldn't tell if my heart was breaking or catching fire all over again.