Chapter 35
Brandon totally saw it coming, but when it actually hit him, his heart skipped a beat, as if it got struck by something. That light, floaty feeling was pretty wild.
He couldn’t help but start picturing it all, the kiddo cozy in Sophia’s belly, growing up bit by bit.
Each daydream made the whole dad-to-be thing feel more real, more tangible.
The report Brandon was holding crinkled a bit with the anticipation bubbling up inside.
He glanced at Sophia, “Still puking your guts out?”
The softness in his eyes almost knocked her off her feet.
She dodged the question with a slight turn of her head, “It’s manageable.”
Brandon hummed in response, his gaze lingering on her petite frame before asking, “I’ve seen you pregnant before.”
So when he rocked up and saw her suddenly all skin and bones, plus the medical report casually left on the coffee table, the gears started turning, even though he didn’t dwell on it much then. But the way Sophia tried to play it off with a routine blood test report made it all too obvious.
Add to that her evasive maneuvers, so it wasn’t rocket science to figure out what was up.
Sophia clammed up. From the moment Brandon popped in unannounced, she knew she couldn’t pull the wool over his eyes – it was just a matter of whether he’d call her out or not.
“I’m thinking of moving in, Brandon said.
She shot that down without missing a beat, “No way.”
“Then pack your bags and crash at my place,” He offered her a plan B.
Still, she shook her head, “I don’t want to.”
“It’s one or the other, Sophia. I come to you, or you come to me,” he stood his ground, “There’s no way I’m letting you go
solo on this.”
She was at a loss for words. Brandon could be pretty stubborn when it came to her or the little one’s well-being, and she knew it
“Don’t be like that, Brandon, Sophia tried to reason with him, “I can’t move back in with you.
“My place has got two bedrooms. We wouldn’t have to share,” he was chill about it, Think of it as roomies splitting rent Sophia didn’t say anything.
“This little one is as much my responsibility as it is yours. I can’t just leave you two hanging, Brandon said, giving her tiny bedroom a once-over, If you’re not on board, then I’m the one moving in.)
Sophia kept silent.
“Sophia, this is about your and the baby’s safety I’m not bending on this, Brandon told her, calm but firm, “So, are you packing now, or shall I?” He added, “I’m staying at the Starlight Hotel, just around the corner, you’ve seen it this afternoon.”.
“I don’t want to go, and I don’t want you here, Brandon,” she tried reasoning again, “Brandon, I’ve finally taken a step forward, don’t push me back.”
I’m not pushing you back, Brandon said, “But as long as that baby’s in you, it’s my duty and right to look out for both of you. I’m the father, Sophia,” He pressed on, “It’s my responsibility and my right.”
Sophia didn’t say anything.
Brandon pulled out his phone and called Don without missing a beat, “Hey Don, can you drop my luggage off at the VIP Condo?
Chapter 35
Don on the other end. “Huh?”
Sophia was fuming. “Hey, you can’t just do that!”
Brandon hung up, turning to her, “Sephia, you’re pregnant. I can’t just sit back and let you live alone. We’re not negotiating on this. If you don’t make a decision, I will. I’m moving in,” He added.
Sophia had seen his stubborn side before. Brandon was not usually like that, only when it came to her or the baby’s health did he pull rank like this. By deciding for her, he was putting an end to a pointless back-and-forth.
When it came to this, she never had room to negotiate with him.
Eventually, Sophia had to concede.
“You don’t have to move in. I’ll go to your place.”
She figured it’s easier to invite trouble in than to send it packing.
“But, she fixed her eyes on him, “I’m just trying it out. And if it doesn’t suit me, I can leave anytime.”
Finally, Brandon nodded, “Okay.”
Sophia packed a few things and was off, not planning on staying long.
Brandon didn’t flex his muscles on that front.
They rode the VIP elevator straight to the penthouse suite.
This was Sophia’s first time here.
The hotel’s decor was all about understated luxury, true to the brand.
Sophia couldn’t help but look around a bit more than usual.
“You seem like you’ve never visited the Starlight before,” Brandon noted..
She nodded, “Yeah, haven’t really done the whole travel thing.”
“I’ve never seen you stay at one either.”
Sophia thought for a sec, then said, “Your hotels are a bit too pricey for me.”
The corners of Brandon’s mouth twitched into a brief smile, then disappeared.
No matter how expensive, as his wife, she shouldn’t have any issue staying there. But she wanted to keep her independence, to leave without feeling indebted.
Sophia caught the fleeting chill of his smirk and pretended not to, shifting her gaze elsewhere.
Brandon opened the door to the suite and gave it a quick once-over before saying to her, “You take the master bedroom, I’ll crash in the secondary one. If you need anything, just holler.”
Sophia peeked inside, hesitantly nodding.
Seeing her hesitation, Brandon added, “Don’t worry, I’m just here on a business trip, won’t be staying long-term.”
