Chapter 151 Two versus one

Chapter 151 Two versus one

Emma's POV

“Are you seriously throwing me out?”

Carmen stands in the middle of the living room, one hand on her hip and the other clutching her handbag, staring at me like I've completely lost my mind.

“He won't even be here for another hour.”

“That doesn't matter.” I wave her toward the front door. “I have a plan, and it doesn't involve you.”

She gasps dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest.

“Ouch.”

“No shade,” I say, laughing. “Just don't be a party pooper.”

“I am deeply offended.”

“You'll survive.” I grin. “Besides, you're already running late for work.”

She squints at me before glancing at the clock on the wall.

“Oh, wow.” She groans. “You're actually right.”

“I know.”

She points an accusing finger at me. “This better be worth kicking your daughter's godmother out.”

“It will be.”

“You sound suspiciously confident.”

“I have every reason to be.”

A slow grin spreads across her face.

“Oh...” She drags the word out, looking far too pleased with herself. “So that's the look.”

I frown. “What look?”

“The one that says you've been daydreaming about a certain hockey player since you woke up this morning.”

Heat immediately creeps into my cheeks. “I have no idea what you're talking about.”

“Mhm.”

I roll my eyes so hard they almost hurt. “You're impossible.”

“And you're blushing.”

I let out an exaggerated groan. “Go to work.”

Laughing, Carmen steps forward and pulls me into a quick hug.

“Since I'm rooting for you,” she says, squeezing me once before letting go, “I'll take my leave.”

She studies me for a second, the teasing fading from her face. “But don't neglect your baby because of a man, okay?”

“I won't.”

“You promise?”

“I promise.”

Satisfied, she kisses one of my cheeks. I smile and kiss hers in return.

“Good luck,” she whispers.

“You're so dramatic.”

“Says the woman who's practically glowing.”

“Oh, get out.”

Still laughing, Carmen gives me one last wave before slipping out the front door.

The apartment suddenly feels much quieter.

I lock the door behind Carmen before leaning against it with the biggest smile on my face.

Today just feels... different.

My eyes drift to the clock.

Still plenty of time.

After breakfast, I feed Dawn while she happily kicks her tiny feet against the high chair.

“You're in a surprisingly good mood today.”

She responds by smearing baby food all over her chin.

I let out a sigh.

“Of course you do.”

A few minutes later she's cleaned up, changed into a fresh onesie, and happily sucking on her bottle while I rock her gently. Before long, her little eyelids begin to droop.

“There we go.”

I press a kiss to her forehead before carefully laying her down in her crib.

“Sleep well, little troublemaker.”

She doesn't even stir.

Within minutes she's completely asleep, and I quietly pull the bedroom door shut before practically skipping back into the living room.

Dinner.

An actual dinner.

Just me and Dylan.

Butterflies immediately explode inside my stomach.

Maybe tonight we'll finally talk. No pretending. No awkward silences. No hiding.

Maybe he'll finally tell me why everything fell apart. Maybe I'll finally tell him how badly he hurt me.

Maybe...

Maybe we'll find our way back to each other.

My smile grows all by itself.

And afterward...

Well...

Heat immediately rushes to my face.

Let's just say my imagination has been working overtime.

Ninety-nine different scenarios flash through my head. Some are sweet. Some are painfully embarrassing. Some make me bury my face in my hands with a groan.

“Oh my God, Emma.” I laugh at myself. “Get a grip.”

The plan is simple.

Dawn sleeps. Carmen gets home later. Dylan and I go to dinner. We finally say everything we've spent months swallowing. Simple. Perfect.

The doorbell rings and my head snaps toward the front door instantly.

He's early?

Excitement floods through me so fast I nearly trip over my own feet.

“Coming!”

I rush toward the kitchen, almost tossing Dawn's bottle into the sink before realizing it's still in my hand.

“Oh.”

I set it down properly this time before hurrying into the bedroom.

Dawn is still asleep.

Good.

I carefully scoop her into my arms anyway, settling her against my shoulder.

“Might as well let Daddy see you first.”

She lets out the tiniest yawn without even opening her eyes.

My heart melts.

Trying, and completely failing, not to smile too much, I hurry to the front door and pull it open.

The words already waiting on my tongue die instantly.

Instead of hearing...

Hey, Cupcake.

I hear–

“There's my favorite student.”

I blink.

“And her beautiful daughter.”

Arthur.

My smile freezes.

...What?

Why today?

Of all the days...

Why today?

“Hey...” I manage, trying not to sound as thrown as I feel. “Arthur.”

He smiles warmly.

“I didn't know you were coming today.”

“I was driving through the area,” he says casually. “Thought I'd surprise you.” His smile widens. “Judging by your face... I'd say it worked.”

I force out a polite laugh. “You definitely surprised me.”

That might be the understatement of the century. Before I can think of anything else to say, Dawn stirs in my arms.

Arthur's expression immediately softens. “Well, hello there.”

To my complete disbelief...

Dawn stretches both tiny arms toward him.

I stare. “No way.”

Arthur laughs. “Well... I think somebody remembers me.”

“She shouldn't, she was just a month old when you last saw her.”

“I think she apparently does.”

Before I can stop him, he gently takes Dawn from my arms.

The traitor.

She doesn't cry. She doesn't fuss. She simply looks up at him before breaking into the tiniest little smile.

I narrow my eyes at her. “Seriously?”

She completely ignores me.

Arthur chuckles, gently brushing one finger against her cheek. “Aren't you just as cute as your mother?”

Dawn giggles and I actually can't believe this. She screams at Dylan half the time. Arthur gets smiles?

Excuse me?

Now that he's already standing there holding my daughter, there's really only one polite thing left for me to do.

“Why don't you... come in?”

“Thank you.”

He steps inside while Dawn happily plays with the buttons on his shirt.

Unbelievable.

I close the door behind us and let out a quiet breath.

Operation Politely Get Arthur Out Before Dylan Arrives officially begins.

No pressure. Just my entire academic future depending on keeping this man happy.

Arthur glances over his shoulder. “What are you doing standing over there?”

I blink. “Hm?”

“Come here.”

I force another smile and walk over. “I'm honestly surprised she likes you this much.”

Arthur laughs. “I grew up in a very full house.”

“How full?”

“Six younger siblings.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “Seriously?”

“I was promoted to assistant parent before I turned ten.”

A laugh slips out. “So changing diapers doesn't scare you?”

“Not anymore.”

He bounces Dawn with the kind of ease that only comes from years of practice. “I've spent most of my life carrying babies around.” Then he flashes me a grin. “I guess that makes me irresistible.”

He looks down at Dawn. “Even to feisty little ladies like this one.”

I smile despite myself. “You're going to make an amazing dad someday.”

Something shifts in his expression. It's subtle. So subtle I almost miss it.

He looks away for a brief second before speaking. “That's assuming I ever become one.”

I frown. “What do you mean?”

Arthur gives a small shrug and says,“I'm not getting any younger, Emma.”

“You're not old.”

“I didn't say I was.”

“Then what are you talking about?”

A faint smile tugs at his mouth. “Maybe fatherhood just isn't in the cards for me.”

I shake my head immediately. “That doesn't even make sense.”

He raises an eyebrow.

“If you really wanted children,” I say, “you could.”

“I can't exactly get some random woman pregnant just because I want to be a father.”

A laugh escapes me. “I wasn't suggesting that.”

“Well...”

“There's adoption.”

Arthur lets out a quiet chuckle and shakes his head. “No.”

“No?”

“I'm not that desperate.”

His eyes drift to Dawn before settling on me again.

“If I ever become a father...” His voice softens. “It'll be with the right woman.”

His gaze lingers on me a second longer than it should, making the atmosphere shift almost instantly.

I clear my throat and force a small smile. “Well... I genuinely hope you find her someday.”

“I appreciate that.”

“Because honestly...” I nod toward Dawn. “You're going to be an amazing dad.”

Arthur smiles warmly. “Thank you, Emma.”

Before either of us can say anything else, the doorbell rings.

My stomach drops.

Oh, no.

Please...

Please don't let that be Dylan. Don't be Dylan!

I barely take a step before Arthur is already heading for the door. “I've got it.”

“No, Arthur…”

Too late.

The door swings open and Dylan stands on the other side with a bouquet of white tulips in one hand.

For one brief, beautiful second, he's smiling. Then his eyes move past Arthur. Past the flowers. Past me. They stop on Dawn, comfortably nestled in Arthur's arms and every trace of warmth disappears from his face.

His jaw tightens. His eyes harden. The smile is completely gone and the silence that follows is suffocating.

Finally, his gaze lifts to mine.

“What,” he asks quietly, each word clipped with frightening control, “is he doing here, Emma?”

Then his eyes flick back to Arthur.

“And why the fuck is he holding my daughter?”