Page 81 of Tempting Tessa

“She was the one who made her own choice,” I cut him off. “Just like you made yours when you married Kat. Just like I made mine when I fell in love with her.”

He stares at me for a long time, his expression unreadable. Then he lets out a long, shaky breath.

“You really love her?” he asks, and for the first time, there’s genuine curiosity in his voice instead of accusation.

“More than anything.” The words come easily because they’re true. “She’s everything to me, Conrad. And I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure she’s happy and safe.”

He studies me, looking for lies or manipulation. Finding none, he nods slowly.

“I want to see her,” he says finally. “And I want to see…I want to see the baby. On the ultrasound or whatever.”

Relief floods through me, though I keep my expression neutral. “She has another appointment next week. You can come.”

He nods again, then stands abruptly. “I’m not saying I forgive you. I’m not saying this is okay. But she’s my daughter, and that baby is my grandchild. So I’ll figure out how to be in their lives.”

“Good.” I stand too, facing him across the ring. “And Conrad?”

He pauses, one hand on the ropes. “What?”

“If you ever sucker punch me again, I’ll break your fucking hand.”

A ghost of a smile crosses his face. “Noted.”

I climb through the ropes and drop to the gym floor, my ribs throbbing with each movement. Conrad follows, landing beside me with the grace of a man half his age.

“Take care of her,” he says quietly, not looking at me. “If you hurt her⁠—”

“You’ll kill me. Yeah, I know.” I grab my gym bag and sling it over my shoulder. “But you don’t have to worry about that.”

He nods once, still not meeting my eyes. “I’m going to call her tonight.”

“Good.” I start walking toward the exit, then pause. “Conrad?”

He glances up, his expression guarded.

“Thank you for not making me choose between you.”

Something flickers in his eyes—pain, maybe, or acceptance. “I’d lose that fight, wouldn’t I?”

I don’t answer. He already knows.

The door swings shut behind me, and I’m hit with the cold afternoon air. My split lip stings, my ribs ache, and I’ve got blood drying on my chin. But none of that matters because all I can think about is getting home to her.

I pull out my phone and fire off a text to Rocco.

Car out front. Now.

My driver appears in less than a minute, the black SUV pulling up to the curb. I slide into the back seat, ignoring the twinge in my ribs.

“Home,” I tell him, already pulling out my phone again.

The drive feels like it takes forever. Every red light is a personal insult. I drum my fingers against my thigh, willing the traffic to move faster.

When we finally pull up to my estate, I’m out of the car before Rocco can even put it in park.

Unlocking the door, I step inside, already scanning the space for her.

“Stellina?” I call out, dropping my bag by the door.