Chapter 7

She was pregnant?! By Ryder?!

Tears start to pool in my eyes. I have to hold onto the counter because I feel dizzy for a split second. Dr. Packard just continues to smile on my face.

Ryder never told me any of this, and the fact that I hear it from this bitch infuriates me.

"Did I touch a nerve? I hope not! After all, I'm just looking out for the next woman, in this world set up for men." She clicks her tongue and says nothing else.

I have no words for her. What is there to say?

It may seem like a cowardly move, but I slowly turn and walk away from her, leaving my drink on the counter. I just want to go back home at that point.

I feel her eyes burn holes into my back in triumph. If what she said was right, I can't blame her. She just revealed something to me that Ryder obviously would never have told me.

I get into my Porsche and slam the door shut. I then begin hyperventilating. I can't believe it! Why would Ryder tell her something like that?! Infertility issues should've been discussed with a real doctor. Not an illegal, jealous whore who happens to practice medicine!

The fact that he confides in that horrible woman makes my blood pressure rise! I am so hurt!

My phone rings. It's Ryder.

I grab the phone and just stare at it until I start to sob uncontrollably.

Mother Nature thinks she should share my feelings. As soon as my tears flow, the weather decides to imitate. Lightning illuminates the sky. Thunder rolls all around me!

Winds and tons of steady rainfall make seeing out of the car window nearly impossible. It looks like hurricane-force currents are surrounding my car. I wipe my tears and turn the car on, driving off.

Why?! Why did he not tell me something significant like that? Especially when I asked him what type of relationship he and Dr. Packard had.

She was pregnant with his child?! That constitutes more than a fling in my book.

The phone rings again, and I continue to ignore it. When it stops, I throw it back into my purse. Seconds later, it's Ryder again. I exhale deeply and pull the car over, accepting the call.

I take a deep breath and try to sound as calm as possible. "Hello?"

"Hey! Are you on your way back yet?"

His cherry disposition infuriates me.

"Uh, yeah! I didn't find any shoes. I'm on my way back home now. I'll be there shortly."

Ryder clears his throat and doesn't say a word for a few seconds. "Have you been crying?"

God, I hate when he does that!

I don't have to be anywhere near him, and he knows when something is wrong. I have to think of something quickly!

"Of course not! I was upset that they didn't have any good shoes, but that's all. I'm over it."

"Always a spoiled brat." He laughs. "Alright, be careful! I hear the rain on your end. It's going to storm all day. Let's stay home tonight."

Good, because I'm not in the mood to be romantic with you.

"Okay, baby, I'll see you when you get here. I love-."

I end the call! I'm definitely not saying I love you back. Love is the last thing I feel at this moment!

I make it home just before the winds start to pick up even more. As I approach our garage, I notice it's already open, and Ryder is standing there. His hands are in his jean's pockets, and he's smiling.

How sweet that the asshole is waiting for me.

I pull into the garage and notice a black car I have never seen before. It looks like a rental. Ryder closes the trunk and makes his way toward my car.

"It's that bad out, huh?" He asks, opening my car door and putting his hand out.

I jump out of the car, not bothering to grab his hand or my purse, and head into the house.

I hear Ryder close my car door and walk behind me. "Are you that upset that you couldn't find shoes?" He sounds puzzled.

I ignore him and make my way to the kitchen.

"If you want, I'll buy you a whole closet full of them."

I scoff as I turned to Ryder. "Why would I need you to buy me shoes? I'm a billionaire. Did you forget?"

He looks hurt by my words. Maybe I shouldn't have said that. Why did I even say that?!

"Of course not." A confused Ryder puts his hands into the pockets.

I always love it when he dresses in blue jeans and a simple t-shirt.

Today, I hate it!

Even more, since I'm wearing a similar outfit. Blue jeans and a white shirt. I am so annoyed with him, and I want nothing to do with him! I head straight to the kitchen.

"Did I do something? Are you upset with me?" Ryder asks. I shake my head at him. I go into the fridge and grab the green juice that Freddie always has ready for me.

"Alright, well, can you sit down for a second? I want to talk to you about something."

I pause at his words. Did Dr. Packard call him to tell him that I know?

Ryder sits on a barstool, and I stand next to him. He grabs my hand. Good, I'd like to hear his version of the events with that tramp!

"Years ago, I promised a friend of mine that I'd take care of the man who killed his daughter. It's been years, but that bastard finally resurfaced. I know you don't want me killing but-"

"What?!" Is this what he wants to tell me?!

Ryder freezes at my outburst. "Please, don't be upset! I gave my word. I'll only be gone a day or so. As soon as I finish, I'll come straight home."

Tears start pooling in my eyes. I thought he was going to tell me the truth regarding Dr. Packard's pregnancy. However, here we are. Talking about him.

I decide I'm not going to fight with him on his vengeance trip. I just suck my teeth and walk away, needing a nap desperately.

When I exit the kitchen, I notice Fallon has her back against the wall in the hallway. She is eavesdropping.

Fallon's eyes are enormous when I make eye contact with her.

"I'm sorry, Miss Hallowell! I didn't mean to listen. It's just that I, umm, need to tell-" She looks down at her fingers. Something has her scared.

Fallon looks behind me and then turns slowly. She walks towards the living room, leaving me standing there looking puzzled.

I honestly don't care! If she has to tell me something, she can do it later. I'm not in the mood anyway.

I make it to my bedroom, finishing my drink, and decide on an hour's nap. The lights flicker as the storm outside rages even harder.

Sitting on my bed, I look towards the window. It's only two o'clock, and it looks so dark outside. I kick my feet onto the bed and am about to lay down when I see Ryder standing in the doorway.

"What is wrong with you? These past couple of months, you've been easily bothered. This isn't you. It's like your on edge, always."

My mouth drops. Did he just say that?!

I honestly feel like I can throw a lamp at him. I look down at my hand and notice that they are shaking.

Getting up from the bed, I walk to my dresser, taking my watch and earrings off.

"I don't care, Ryder! Go on your little mission. Do whatever makes you happy."

He exhales rather angry. I could care less, deciding I am done talking to him. A bath sounds fantastic right now! Anything to get away from him.

As I turn to make my way to the bathroom, Ryder stands in the doorway, trying to block my entrance.

"Get out my way!" I snap at him.

"Not until you tell me what's wrong. We've always been open with each other, and you're hiding something from me."

I scoff at his words. "Oh, have we?! We've been open and not hiding things from one another?" I step back and laugh. "It's so easy for you to lie, isn't it? After all, you are a cold-blooded murderer!"

I feel the sting of my words in his eyes. Crossing my arms, I look away.

I don't know why that came out the way it did. Why am I in so much rage? I have never acted this way in my entire life.

"Wow! Is that how you feel, Sam?"

"Yes!" I bite back. "You sit there and act holier than though, but even you keep worse secrets from me. Then you parade whoever you want in our home, and I-"

"Sammy, I honestly don't know what you are talking about."

He walks up to me and grabs my shoulder, but I move away.

"No?!" I yell. "Tell me about her pregnancy, Ryder! Tell me all about Dr. Packard and you! Oh, I'm sorry! Would you prefer me to call her Maddison?! That is her name! Is this why you wanted to move here? Because of her?!"

Ryder's mouth opens, but no words come out. He takes a step back. I do the same. At this point, I hate him. So much so that I want to punch him in his face.

It feels like my heart will beat out of my chest. Tears are pooling in my eyes. I feel and hear how heavy my breathing is.

I remember feeling this way when he first kidnapped me. The horror I went through, and all I could do was stay strong and try to escape. Of course, that was a bust, and I ended up falling in love with him.

"Nothing to say?" I ask through gritted teeth.

"There's plenty to say." Ryder's face turns from one of sadness to no emotion. He then shifts and stands tall. "With that being said, that conversation has nothing to do with you. I will say it was a mistake between Maddison and I, one that should never have happened. Nothing came of it. She only told you that to provoke this fight between us."

I don't notice the tears sliding down my cheeks until I feel the sting of them hitting my chest. I scoff and throw my hands in the air! He just stands there and says it's none of my business?!

I don't know how or why, but my fist goes flying towards his face. He catches it and slowly brings my hand down. A worrying look on his face.

"Please! I don't want you to hurt yourself," he whispers as I pull my hand away from him. I turn around quickly and send my elbow towards his face.

Again, he catches it with no problem. He then wraps his hands around my torso, pinning my arms to my side.

"Stop it!" He growls. "What is wrong with you, Sam?!"

Of course, I'm not going to stop! Not until I land, at least, one blow.

I struggle in his hold. There was no way I will get out of this unless he lets me go.

So I take my heel and slam it against his foot. He makes a noise and let's go. Sweating and in rage, I turn quickly and slap him across the face.

Ryder cradles his face, a shocked expression as he slowly puts his hand to his side.

He is why I am acting this way; his secrets and trying to control everything around us. I am done with all of it! More importantly, I am done with him!

"I hate you! The wedding is off! I don't want to be with you anymore. Once this storm passes, I'm leaving."

Ryder's mouth drops. The hurt look on his face should make me feel something, anything. For some unknown reason, I feel nothing.

I go to walk away when I feel his hand on my arm. He yanks me toward him. He then opens his mouth to say something, when suddenly the lights in the bedroom flicker. They continue to flicker until the power goes out.

I look at Ryder's hand on my arm and then up at him.

If he doesn't let me go, I'll swing again.

This is a promise!

Then through the darkness, we hear a blood-curdling scream coming from the hallway!

I yank my arm away from him when we hear a loud thump coming from downstairs.

I look at Ryder. "What was that?"