radicalducati Chapter 166
Chapter 166
Theo stood frozen, his hands gripping the edge of the counter as Alessia’s words sank in. “She has your baby, Theo.” The sentence echoed in his mind, sharp and cutting, leaving him breathless. His expression shifted from shock to disbelief as he looked up at Alessia, his brows furrowing deeply.
“That’s… that’s not possible,” he said finally, his voice shaking slightly. “Alessia, Zoey and I always used protection. It doesn’t make sense.”
Alessia’s arms remained crossed, her gaze hard and unyielding. “Well, she seems pretty certain about it, Theo. And from what she said, you disappeared on her when she told you she was pregnant.”
Theo’s face paled further, and he ran a hand through his hair, his frustration and confusion evident. “I didn’t— I mean, I didn’t think…” He trailed off, letting out a long sigh. “Alessia, I swear, I thought Zoey and I were history. We weren’t serious. She told me she didn’t want anything more from me, and I believed her.”
Alessia’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Well, now she’s back. And she’s saying there’s a child out there who might be yours.”
Theo took a step closer to her, his hands raised as if in surrender. “Alessia, I’m sorry. I never wanted to keep anything from you, and I honestly didn’t think this would ever come up again. If I’d known…” He paused, his voice softening. “If I’d known, I would have told you. I never wanted secrets between us.”
Alessia let out a slow, tired sigh, her posture relaxing just slightly. She wanted to believe him—needed to believe him—but the weight of the day’s revelations still pressed heavily on her chest. “Theo, this is a lot to process,” she said finally. “For both of us.”
“I know,” Theo said, his voice low. “I’ll handle this, Alessia. I’ll figure out the truth and deal with it. You shouldn’t have to carry this weight.”
She shook her head, exhaustion creeping into her voice. “We’re married, Theo. This is something we have to face together. But right now, I just need a minute to clear my head.”
Theo reached out as if to stop her but then let his hand drop, understanding her need for space. “Take your time,” he said gently. “I’ll clean up here and put Avery to bed.”
“Thanks,” Alessia murmured, giving him a small, strained smile before turning toward the stairs. She could hear Theo moving around in the kitchen, and Avery’s soft giggles drifted through the air, a small comfort in an otherwise overwhelming day.
As Alessia reached the bedroom, she closed the door behind her and leaned against it for a moment, exhaling deeply. The tension in her shoulders and the dull ache in her chest refused to ease, no matter how many breaths she took.
The bedroom was dimly lit, with the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting long shadows across the room. Alessia moved toward the window, intending to close the curtains before heading to the shower. The cool night air filtered through the slightly cracked glass, carrying with it the faint scent of rain.
She reached for the curtain cord, pausing for a moment to glance outside. The street below was quiet, illuminated by the warm glow of the streetlights. She scanned the empty sidewalk absently, her thoughts still spinning.
But then, something caught her eye.
Just for a moment—a flicker, a movement. A figure disappearing into the shadows at the edge of the street. The hair, even in the low light, seemed familiar. Too familiar.
Alessia’s heart skipped a beat, and she leaned closer to the window, squinting into the darkness. But whoever it was had already vanished, swallowed by the night.