Chapter 172
Kelly’s POV
The shooting in the mall has reached the national television and a clip where I was caught running away with Klay was exposed to the public. The people who know us and our family are spreading speculations that I have a secret relationship with my stepbrother and that my daughter is his child. Speculations about this happened before and it’s happening now. The people are strongly convinced that Klay is the father of my little girl, especially because they knew that Pierce and I did not communicate for a few years.
“Don’t let this affect your relationship.” Mom, Pierce’s mom, said as she gently caressed my back. I was sitting on the lanai with her while Pierce and Snow were in the pool area with dad, and Phoebe.
“Mom, I don’t know what to do.”
She shook her head. “Don’t let this affect you. My son loves you and he knows what happened. That’s what’s important.”
I looked at her. “Can I really ignore this, mom? Pierce said it’s okay and he’s just glad I’m safe, but I know him, mom. He’d feel like he’s useless because he wasn’t the one who protected me.”
She sighed. “You can just talk to him again about this, Kelly. But don’t let this ruin you and your relationship with each other. You are a mother now, so you have to protect your family.”
I nodded and shifted my gaze back to my daughter and her father. They’re enjoying their bonding again and later tonight, I’m gonna talk to Pierce about what happened. I told him yesterday about why I was with Klay and he said he understand, but I know I still need to assure him.
After dinner, I received a call from Emily. I immediately excused myself and went to the pool area to talk to her.
“Hello, Emily?
[Are you going home tonight?]
“No-”
[Why did you order food? I said I’m cooking!]
My brow shot up after I heard that voice. I’m certain that’s Matt.
“You’re with Matt?”
[Kelly, why do you have a retarded cousin?]
I chuckled. “You’re together? You and…him?”
[We’re not–She’s my girlfriend now, Kelly–What girlfriend are you talking about?]
I shook my head and smiled. “Goodnight, Emily.”
[Wait… Wait, Kelly-]
I ended the call after my goodnight. A pair of arms slipped between my arms and waist and a hand locked against my stomach. I felt feather kisses on the back of my neck, earning a smile from me. His scent filled my nose and it made me
calm.
“You’re staying tonight, right?”
1/3
8:51 pm
Chapter 172
I faced him, without removing his arms around my waist. I stared into his eyes and nodded. “Yes, of course,
He nodded and pecked on my lips. His eyes were gentle and affectionate as he looked at me. I feel like he’s seeing me as a goddess and it makes me so happy.
“Pierce…”
He tucked my hair behind my ears. “Hmm?”
“About what happened in the mall…”
He shook his head and squeezed his eyes. “No….No. You don’t have to worry about that. I told you I understand
“No,” I whispered and caressed his jaws. “That’s not okay, Pierce. Tell me what you’re thinking. Tell me what you felt when you saw that clip. Tell me the truth.”
He took a deep sigh and squeezed his eyes closed. He clenched his jaws and when he looked at me, I saw the anger he’s trying to suppress. That made me feel relieved.
“I’m angry… I’m jealous… I’m insecure… I’m…scared. But Kelly, I understand that I lack some things that he can provide. He has the power to protect you and I understand that. I can endure the anger, jealousy, insecurity and fear as long as you’re safe. So even if you ran a million times with him…as long as you’re coming home to me, I’m fine.”
I pulled him closer and rested his forehead on mine. I shook my head as I squeezed my eyes closed. “I declined his help, Pierce. He offered to help but I don’t wanna trust him again. And being with him pains me.”
I felt his hand caressing the small of my waist. “I’m…so jealous when I saw the clip, Kelly. I…feel like I was suffocated. It’s so….. hard to see you with another man.”
“He’s not another man, Pierce. My relationship with him was long gone. I don’t have feelings for him anymore.”
I opened my eyes and saw him staring at me. His eyes slowly showed contentment as he nodded. “Thank you… for the
assurance.”
I hugged his neck. “You always give me assurance, Pierce. Now it’s time for me to assure you that I’m not gonna leave. You’re not gonna lose me again. I will stay until my final breath. We’re still getting married again, right?”
He smiled and nodded. “I want to marry you two weeks from now.”
My lips parted as my heart skipped a beat. “Two weeks from now?”
“I don’t wanna waste any more time, Kels. We wasted years because of my stupidity and I can’t waste another year without you. I can’t let his year pass without my name marked on yours again.”
A smile curved in my lips as I nodded. “Next, next week, then.”
His eyes widened in fraction. “It’s fine with you?”
“Can you give me a grand wedding two weeks from now?”
He chuckled and planted a kiss on my forehead. “Of course! Anything is possible if it’s you.”
He was about to kiss me when his phone rang. He took his phone from his pocket and I saw how his forehead creased after looking at the screen. He glanced at me and answered the call. He even put it on speaker as if he wants me to hear the person on the other line.
“Hello?”
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8:51 pm
Chapter 172
[Pierce, we have to talk.]
I lifted my chin and looked at Pierce. The caller is Lexi.
Pierce’s eyes sharpened as he clenched his jaws. “There’s nothing to talk about-”
[There is! I’m pregnant!]
I immediately snatched the phone from Pierce and looked at the screen. “Say it again?”
There was a long pause before I heard her voice again.
[Kelly… You heard it, right? I’m pregnant. I’m carrying Pierce’s baby.]
I laughed without humor. “You forced yourself on him and now you’re pregnant? To tell you the truth, I don’t care. Raise your child alone. Don’t mess with our lives anymore.”
I angrily ended the call and looked at Pierce. He looked angry and worried as he stared into my eyes. I saw him swallow hard while I clenched my jaws.
“That bitch is trying to tear us apart again, Pierce,” I said angrily as I gritted my teeth and balled my fists that are actually trembling in anger.
He nodded. “I know. I don’t believe her either.”
I was able to sigh in relief. I don’t know what to do but I felt comforted when Pierce wrapped his arms around me and kissed my hair.
I squeezed my eyes closed and swallowed hard. I’m gonna find that bitch and pull her hair. Damn it!
AD