Kayden's POV

Jayden was just messing with me.

Me, a father?

This has to be a prank, and not a very good one at that.

Or... could it be possible I got her pregnant? Even if it were true, she'd likely be one of my one-night stands. Is she using this pregnancy to try and trap me into marriage?

I swallowed hard, my hand nervously massaging the back of my neck as I grappled with my thoughts. "Is... Is that true? Are you really pregnant with... my baby?" I stumbled over the words, feeling uneasy.

Please tell me this is some kind of prank.

Her expression shifted to confusion, and she cleared her throat, attempting to regain composure. Meanwhile, I anxiously awaited her response, a chill creeping down my spine with each passing moment.

After several agonizing minutes, she finally mumbled, her confusion evident, "Yes. I'm six months pregnant."

Her words hit me like a ton of bricks, and suddenly, my world seemed to crumble before my eyes.

Damn it!

How could I have been so reckless?

"Oh... uh... Well, that's... good," I muttered, mustering a smile, my hand nervously raking through my hair as a desperate longing to return to Venezuela gnawed at me. There, at least, I wasn't aware of the colossal mistake I'd made, the one that had ruined my life. Despite her undeniable beauty, the weight of my error felt like a suffocating nightmare.

Jayden made it clear she was my baby mama, not a wife, thank goodness. I shuddered at the mere thought of her being my wife too.

Marriage was my worst nightmare. I had no intentions of tying the knot; it seemed like an unnecessary burden to me. With so many girls out there, why commit to just one?

Sure, for some, marriage was a blissful union, like my parents, who shared their lives with their true loves. But I had no plans to fall in love. Love wasn't always smooth sailing. Even my parents faced hardships because of it. I wanted none of that. Marriage wasn't my scene. I preferred to live each day as a new adventure, carefree.

Hazel's eyes locked with mine, frozen in shock, yet her silence spoke volumes, sadness pooling in their depths.

"What the hell is going on?" a guy around my age demanded, irritation evident in his voice as he stood behind Hazel.

"Who is this?" I inquired, shooting my brother a puzzled look. The shocking news swirling in my mind left me with a pounding headache.

"The Devil incarnate," the guy retorted sarcastically, shooting me an irritated glance. I shot him a death stare, barely restraining myself from delivering a swift punch to his arrogant face.

My father cleared his throat, breaking the heavy silence. "Perhaps we should continue this conversation in the living room. I'll provide all the details there," he suggested, his tone gentle yet insistent.

Thank you, but no!

I'm not ready to hear anything more about last year. I've had my fill.

"Um... I think I'll just head to my room," I announced, a hint of determination in my tone. I glanced at Hazel, attempting to recall her, but it was futile. "I need some rest," I added, meeting her gaze.

"Sure! Remember what the doctor said, Kayden. Take it easy," my father affirmed, offering a warm smile.

"I'll come with you," my mother offered softly, her expression tinged with concern.

"I will go with him, Mom," Jayden interjected, handing his son to Clara. As my mother started to protest, my twin reassured her, "Don't fret, Mom." With a nod, my mother sighed, casting a worried glance my way. "Come on, Kade. Let's head out," Jayden urged.

"Yeah, I'm exhausted," I muttered dryly, frustration bubbling beneath the surface as I brushed past Hazel without meeting her gaze.

Entering my room, I yanked off my jacket in a fit of annoyance, hurling it onto the bed with a resentful thud.

"Damn it!" I cursed, running my hands through my hair as I began to pace the room, my anger palpable.

"Kade..."

"She probably got herself knocked up to trap me," I spat out furiously, cutting off my twin brother. "It's unreal!" I exclaimed, slapping my forehead in irritation. "And I can't remember a damn thing."

"Kade, calm down." Jayden approached me with a sympathetic gaze. "Hazel isn't that kind of girl. Sure, the pregnancy wasn't planned, but you were thrilled about it," he reassured, his tone warm and understanding.

"I knew. Having a baby at this age wasn't something I could want," I admitted, clenching my fists in frustration. "She must've drugged me," I muttered through gritted teeth.

Jayden's brow furrowed. "Don't talk nonsense, Kayden. I get that this is a huge shock, but you love her. You were ready to marry her, but she fled on your wedding day. And despite everything, you didn't give up on her. You tried everything to earn her forgiveness."

"What?! You've got to be kidding me," I exclaimed, disbelief evident in my voice as my brother dropped the bombshell that I was supposed to marry that woman. "I'd have to be out of my mind to propose to anyone," I retorted sarcastically, hands on my hips as I shook my head in disbelief. "This has to be some kind of joke. Did you all plan this stunt? Is it some twisted attempt to jog my memory? If it is, just stop, please," I pleaded, a glimmer of hope in my voice.

Jayden sighed, giving me a sympathetic look. "Kade, it's the truth. You love Hazel, and you're about to become a father," my brother insisted, his tone firm.

"No, this has to be some twisted nightmare," I countered, shaking my head with a bitter smirk. "Even if I did lose my mind and propose to her, why would she run away on our wedding day? And if she did run, why would I bother trying to reconcile with her? Don't I have any self-respect?" I demanded, unconvinced.

Jayden took a deep breath, his tone warm and inviting. "Come, sit. I'll explain everything," he said, gesturing towards the bed. With a heavy exhale, I nodded and settled onto the mattress.

As my brother joined me, his presence comforting, he began recounting the events involving Hazel and me.

"No way! You're not serious!" I exclaimed, shaking my head in disbelief, shooting my brother a skeptical glance as he finished explaining. "I can't be in love or even think about marriage. There's got to be some mistake. Maybe Grandpa coerced me, using something to blackmail me after you knocked up Clara?" I suggested, clinging to hope.

"Of course not, Kade," my brother scoffed, rolling his eyes. "And it's you we're discussing. Do you honestly believe Grandpa could manipulate you into something you don't want? There's nobody on this planet who could make you do a thing against your will," he remarked sarcastically, shooting me a knowing glance.

I let out a heavy sigh of frustration, burying my face in my hands.

"Kade, I understand it's tough right now, but don't worry, you'll remember everything soon," Jayden reassured me, placing his hand on my shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze.

"I just need some space," I muttered, my tone devoid of emotion.

"Okay. I'll be downstairs. If you need anything, just let me know," he replied with a sigh, rising from the bed. As he made to leave, he hesitated, turning back towards me. "And please, be careful with Hazel. Her pregnancy is high-risk," Jayden cautioned, his expression filled with concern, before exiting the room and shutting the door behind him.

I let out a heavy sigh and sank onto the bed, running a hand over my forehead, my mind consumed by swirling thoughts.

***

With my arms folded tightly across my chest, I watched Hazel's approach to the car through my bedroom window. I hadn't dared to venture out of my room since returning home, impatiently waiting for her departure. I even opted to dine alone here, fearing that downstairs, another bombshell about my reckless actions awaited.

Suddenly, Hazel glanced up at my window. Despite my mind urging me to retreat, I couldn't tear my gaze away from her.

As I waited for everyone to leave, I found myself scrolling through the articles detailing the scandalous events of Hazel and my wedding day on the internet. It was hard to believe I had actually gone through with marrying her. If it weren't for the photos capturing my smiling face before the ceremony, I might have thought it was all some twisted joke. But the images were there, and I watched the videos too—especially the one where she left me standing alone at the altar, publicly humiliating me and tarnishing my reputation.

The entire world seemed to be laughing at me. Every time the cruel comments on the video crossed my mind, I fought to keep myself from smashing everything in the room.

Yet, despite her betrayal, I couldn't fathom why I still longed for her. Pursuing someone who humiliated me in such a public manner seemed irrational. Even if Jayden and I had deceived her, she had no right to disgrace me or my family like that. Her actions made me appear foolish in front of the entire world.

Maybe I pursued her for revenge, keeping it to myself to avoid anyone convincing me otherwise; hence, everyone assumed I was in love with her. Even if I found myself falling for her, her actions were unforgivable. I had my pride, damn it.