Chapter 271

Chapter 271
"That you're pregnant."

I bit my lower lip, realizing I couldn't be angry since I'd done exactly the same thing.

Taking the tea, I sat down beside him with a smile. "Looks like we're both terrible at keeping secrets. I told the girls yesterday."

Dominic finally looked up. "So, can we tell my parents?"

I nodded. "But please wait until after graduation. We'll tell them at the party."

His expression softened as he pulled me close. "I love you, Riley. I'm proud of you."

He kissed the side of my head gently. "You finish getting ready. I'll go get your gown."

Dominic had barely been gone five minutes when Nina burst into my room, already uncorking a bottle of champagne.

"I'm calling it now—it's a boy!" she announced, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she poured two glasses. "We can name him Edwin or Allen."

I rolled my eyes, applying a light coat of pale pink lipstick to complete my makeup. "What if it's a girl?"

"Trust me, my intuition is always right." Nina handed me a glass, then circled behind me. "Need help with that zipper?"

I nodded gratefully. "Please." The black knee-length dress was perfect for the occasion, but the back zipper was impossible to reach alone.

Nina tugged it up smoothly, then stepped back to admire the effect. Her eyes narrowed playfully. "Please tell me you're not wearing those sneakers with this dress."

I glanced down at my comfortable running shoes and smiled. "Comfort trumps fashion."

"You're hopeless," she sighed dramatically, but her face still wore a smile.

"So," Nina perched on the edge of my bed, swirling the sparkling drink in her glass. "Did you tell my brother that I know about the baby?"

"Yes," I confirmed, adjusting my dress in the mirror. "He knows you know."

"How did he react when you told him?"

"He was fine with it. He told the guys last night. Oh, and when I got home, he was drunk."

"Drunk?" She frowned. "He doesn't drink."

"I know."

"Did you ask him why?"

"He said he wanted a few drinks. If something's bothering him, he'll tell me when he's ready," I said, though uncertainty crept into my voice.

"It probably has to do with Estelle wanting to come back to the pack."

"What?" I said, shocked.

He didn't tell me about this? The pack meeting yesterday suddenly made sense. He didn't take me because they were discussing whether to let them return.

Nina's eyes widened as she realized what she'd done. "Oh shit. You didn't know."

I sank onto the bed, my mind racing. "Is that what the pack meeting was about yesterday? Whether to let Estelle move back?"

I felt a lump in my throat. I couldn't believe he would do this to me. Actually considering letting them return without telling me.

I felt betrayed. My stomach churned at the thought of her becoming part of the pack again.

She groaned. "He's going to kill me."

"Nina," my voice trembled slightly. "Is Dominic really considering letting her come back?"

"I don't know, Riley."

I couldn't tell if she was putting on an act. Just when I thought everything was fine, this happens. But I wanted to know why. Why let her and her family come back? What was the reasoning behind it?

My chest felt heavy, my stomach sick. I wanted to be angry, but couldn't. More than anything, I felt hurt.

"Mom reserved a limo for us all to ride to graduation together," she said, clearly trying to change the subject.

I nodded absently, barely hearing her. "Nina, I think I need a few minutes alone."

"Riley..."

"Please, just go for now."

I didn't want her to see me cry. Normally I'd be furious, but lately I couldn't control it. I turned away as tears slid down my cheeks.

"Okay."

After hearing the door close, I held back the tears. I hated feeling this sad.

I went to the bathroom to clean up my ruined makeup. When I returned to the bedroom, I saw my graduation gown hanging on the back of the door. Dominic must have dropped it off while I was in the bathroom. I didn't want to leave the house. I didn't want to celebrate anything.

My mood was completely shot, not ready to force smiles all day and pretend everything was fine. But I wouldn't ruin this day for everyone else.

I abandoned the sneakers, slipping into black heels instead. The dress looked better this way. I took a deep breath and headed downstairs.

Dominic was waiting in the kitchen, he froze when he saw me. "Baby, you look beautiful."

I struggled internally, telling myself not to ruin today. But every time he spoke, I wanted to strangle him. How could he keep something so important from me?

He approached, his nose twitching slightly. "Baby, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I replied shortly, biting the inside of my cheek. I knew he could smell the lie, but I didn't care.

"Shall we go to my mother's?"

"Sure." I grabbed my purse, putting my phone and keys inside. The harder I tried to stay calm, the angrier I felt.

At the Blackwood estate, I put on my best fake smile. Laughing, taking photos.

I knew Erica could see right through me, but I kept masking my feelings with smiles anyway. Nina was avoiding me like the plague, which I understood completely.

Byron kissed my cheek when he arrived, whispering, "Little bear, excited for today?"

"Thrilled," I responded automatically, though inside I was desperate to escape. Or maybe take a shot of hard liquor to take the edge off.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, sorry." I sighed.

My feet ached from the heels, and I regretted not sticking with my comfortable shoes. I maintained my smile, but tears threatened at the corners of my eyes.

Byron studied me carefully. "Are you sure you're okay?"

I shrugged, not trusting my voice.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked gently.

I shook my head. Desperately trying to keep the smile plastered on my face. I could already feel the tears in my eyes.

"Want to get some air?" he suggested.

I nodded, slipping my hand into his.

I'd deal with Dominic later, right now I just needed to get away from all this.