But when I got home, we could never find her. And for nearly three years, it was like she’d never existed.

Gran’s estate looms ahead. I hear a small swift inward gasp of breath as Darby takes in the large iron gates. I have three options: My penthouse, my sister's place, or the estate. The estate will be the least welcoming. Gran didn’t like Darby before and she’s not going to suddenly develop warm feelings when she learns that my former fiancée has kept my son a secret for two years. But Gran will not let Jax go, and until I’m sure that Darby doesn’t plan on running away again, the estate is my only choice.

Chapter 10

Darby

I don’t want to be here, my mind screams as we pull up the long driveway toward the giant mansion ahead. I thought the Wards’ house was extravagant but this is a whole other level. Still my body tenses. The need to escape claws at me. Maybe I did run from here. If this is the place he calls home and my first instinct after seeing it is to get out then it’s possible that’s what I did in the past.

I put my hand on Jax’s belly, reminding myself why I’m here. He sleeps soundly, not having a care in the world. That’s all that really matters. It looks as though Jonas doesn't know what happened to me either. I didn't think I’d be the type of person to take a child away from their father, but he is making it seem as though that’s exactly what I did.

As much as I don’t want to believe it, I have to consider it a possibility. None of it makes sense to me, and my mind is still racing with the question as to why I would've done such a thing. What pushed me to leave? Yet, even with all of those questions unanswered, I know one thing for certain: that I will not let anyone take my son from me.

“We’ll be staying here.” I nod my head in agreement because he’s not asking a question. I’d stay in hell if it meant being near Jax. I reach for Jonas’ wrist, lifting his hand off my thigh. If he thinks I’m lying, then he should keep his hands to himself.

“I’m not going to run. I’ll never leave Jax.”

“But you do like to run?” he throws back, making me dislike him even more. I push away the attraction I first had to him. The car rolls to a stop in front of the monstrosity that he calls a home. One that reminds me of just how much power the Willitses have. That thought leaves me unsettled, making it clear to me that I have no other choice but to play nice for now. To go along with what Jonas wants. But it doesn’t mean that I have to like it.

I’ll ignore him. He can keep poking at me all he wants. It doesn't matter what he says to me, as long as my son remains mine. There’s no use going back and forth on the amnesia thing. It’s obvious he doesn’t believe me, so why waste my breath? It’s better for me to stay quiet. Soon he’ll grow bored and be on to the next thing, I’m sure. He didn’t look so torn up when he was on that yacht a few weeks ago, I remind myself. I’m reaching for anything at this point to kick any of that attraction I felt for him away.

The car goes silent as he waits for me to answer. I can feel his eyes on me but I refuse to look his way. I am tired and he is playing with my head. How can he be so mean yet hold me as though he’s missed me on the plane ride here? I don’t understand him. I swallow when a lump forms in my throat. I will not cry. I’ve been so strong since I woke up in that bed alone and found out I was pregnant. I had to be. I won't crumble now. This man will not break me. Unless he already did and that’s how I got into this situation to begin with.

He mumbles something under his breath that I don’t catch as he opens his car door. He steps out, allowing me to get a glimpse of the morning sun coming up. I don’t know how long I slept on the plane, but I still feel tired. He shuts the door before I can try and follow him out. He walks around to the other side to open the door to get Jax.

I hit the seat belt button to free the car seat as Jonas pulls it from the car easily with one hand. He holds his other hand out to me, offering to help me out, but I ignore it. Instead, I grab the door myself, stepping out without his assistance. I practically raised a baby by myself, I can manage getting out of a car alone.

“Are you going to be difficult?”

I shake my head no. I am going to be invisible where he’s concerned. I am here for one reason and that is Jax. I have no idea what his father and I had at one time, but with how he’s talking to me, I’m guessing it wasn't the best. As he reminded me before, I’d run from here. There had to be a cause. All fingers are currently pointing to him at this moment.

“Come.” He starts up the stairs, the front doors swinging open. A man in a butler suit stands there. His eyes go wide when he sees me. Then they shoot to the car seat that Jonas is holding and his mouth falls open. Clearly he recognizes me.

“Mr. Willits, can I help you with anything?” the man asks.

“I’m good, George. I’m taking Darby to the east wing.” Of course they have wings in this over-the-top house. I follow Jonas. As we pass George, I give the man a half smile.

“How are you, Ms. Harris?”

“Call me Darby, please.”

George chuckles. “We’ve had this fight before. You know I can’t.” His eyes go soft on me. “I’m glad you’re back. Give her hell.” He winks at me before turning to shut the door.

“This way.” Jonas cuts in before I can ask who I need to give hell to. I give Jonas another nod and follow after him. My eyes are so tired at this point that it’s hard to take the place in. Everything is breathtaking and beautiful. I’m going to have to put Jax in a bubble. This place is definitely not baby ready. If Jonas intends for us to stay here, he’ll have to make a lot of changes. Childproofing this place is only the beginning.

“Here.” I look back to Jonas as he pushes open two white doors into a giant bedroom. I follow him in as he sets the car seat down. I drop to my knees in front of Jax, unbuckling him before I slowly pull him out. I bring him close, needing to feel him against me. I always feel calmer when he’s close.

“Mommy,” he says in his sleep.

“I’ve got you, angel.” I pull Jax tighter in my arms as I stand. This gets harder and harder every day. He’s going to be as big as his father from the looks of it. My eyes flick over to Jonas, who is pulling his buttoned-up shirt out from his slacks. He’s a wrinkled mess in his tux.

I turn, heading over toward the giant bed to put Jax into the center of it. I don’t look back at Jonas as I crawl into the bed with Jax. It may be terrible, but I am using Jax as a shield. I don’t want to be alone with Jonas. I am still trying to get everything I am feeling under control.

“Can we step out for a minute?”

My body stiffens when I realize his voice is coming from right next to the bed. I open my eyes, sitting up. “No. I won’t leave Jax alone. He has no idea where we are. If he wakes up he might be scared.”

Jonas runs a hand down his face. “Okay but we need to talk.”

I shake my head no. “There is nothing to say. You wanted Jax here.” I look down at our son. “He’s here.”

“About us.”

“There is no us.”

“Darby-”