Page 143 of Claimed By The Other Brother

"I'm sorry," I murmur into her hair. "I'm sorry for pushing. I'm sorry for not being there. I'm sorry you've been going through this alone."

"I didn't know how to tell you," she says between sobs.

"Everything is such a mess. My career is destroyed. I'm back in Chicago taking a demotion. The whole world knows about us. And now I'm pregnant. I thought—I thought maybe it would be easier if you didn't know."

I pull back to look at her.

"Easier for who?"

"For you. So you wouldn't feel obligated."

"Obligated?" I cup her face, forcing her to meet my eyes.

"Scarlett, I love you."

She goesvery still.

"I love you," I repeat, the words coming easier now.

"I have for months. Maybe from the moment I saw you in that wedding dress, looking heartbroken and beautiful and so fucking strong. I orchestrated that job offer because I couldn't stand the thought of you being anywhere but close to me. I spent every day finding excuses to see you, to talk to you, to be near you. And when Miles showed up at your apartment, I wanted to kill him. Not because he was my brother or because of some rivalry. But because he had the audacity to think he deserved you when he'd already thrown you away."

Tears are streaming down her face.

"You're not an obligation," I continue.

"You're everything. And this baby—our baby—is a gift I didn't know I wanted until right now."

"Dax—"

"I want to take care of you. Both of you. You don't have to worry about money or your job or where you'll live. Keep your place here in Chicago if you want. Or come to New York. I'll help you start your own PR firm if that's what you want. Whatever you need, it's yours."

"It's not about the money," she whispers.

"I know. But I need you to understand that you're not alone in this. We don't have to live in shame or hide or pretend this didn't happen." I rest my forehead against hers.

"I've never felt this way about anyone. And I know I'm not good at this—at emotions and vulnerability and saying the right things. But I'm trying. Because you're worth trying for."

She's quiet for a long moment, her hands clutching my shirt.

"I love you too," she says finally.

"I have for a while. But I'm still terrified."

"Of what?"

"Of this being too much. Of you changing your mind. Of everything falling apart again."

"I'm not going anywhere," I tell her.

"I'm here. For whatever you decide. For whatever comes next."

She looks up at me, her blue eyes searching mine.

"I need time to think. About what I want. About what's best for the baby."

The answer surprises me. I expected her to say yes immediately. To fall into my arms and let me fix everything. But this is Scarlett. She's not someone who needs rescuing. She's someone who makes her own decisions.

"Okay," I say. "Take the time you need. I'll be here."