Seven weeks later

Alec left the clinic numb, his emotions oscillating between heady elation and bone-deep sorrow. The scar that had been healing over his heart ripped open by two words: “You’re pregnant.”

The doctor had confirmed it with a blood test. The ultrasound cemented it though. Alec had had his suspicions for two weeks now. He’d felt tender all over, more fatigued than usual, and hungry—like he was eating for two people. Now he knew he was doing just that.

Inside the cab he hailed, he massaged a hand over his belly, imagining the pea-sized little baby in there. The fetal heartbeat he’d heard during the internal ultrasound made it all the more real. He was carrying a new life inside him. An innocent life. A life that was now his whole world.

It was a bittersweet revelation. Because he now had a piece of JT growing inside of him. This was what they had wanted, and though the alpha had left him, told him to find someone else, Alec had decided the family inheritance wasn’t worth any more trouble.

No one would fit the bill. No one could do it for him the way JT had. Even now, his heart ached for him though he should have nothing but anger for the alpha. The jerk.

But he’s my jerk.

Alec almost missed his stop during his fantasizing. Paying the cabbie, he stepped out of the car into the sights and sounds of the city that never slept. New York was both big and small in many ways. It certainly wasn’t Pittsburgh.

In the foyer of the fancy building, Alec greeted the door guard. He grabbed his mail and headed upstairs for his condo. It was the one thing he’d taken from his father. The penthouse suite had been one of many properties in his father’s will, and he’d chosen to gift it to Alec.

Though it wasn’t the island that Drew got, it was still home away from home—and after JT left, home didn’t feel like it was in Pittsburgh anymore.

“Alec?” his mother called from somewhere deeper in the suite.

She met him in the lobby once the elevator doors closed. Harried-looking, she clapped her hands together and blurted, “The director called. We spoke.”

“That’s good,” Alec said, moving past her into the kitchen. He was hungry. Glad that they’d had a grocery delivery and the fridge remained fully stocked, he started setting out the ingredients for a turkey club sandwich.

Noting that she hovered, wringing her hands, her face veil a sunny yellow today, Isolde said, “He went over the schedule, and from this point, he needs me to travel to work out the details of the surgery.”

Alec set aside the knife once he’d sliced off thin bits of turkey. He frowned. “I thought he said they were booked until next month?”

“He was able to fit me in.”

Alec cocked his head, staring at her long and hard. Figuring that wasn’t what bothered her, he asked, “Do you not want to go anymore?”

Isolde hadn’t been too happy that he plowed through, considered selling the house to make up the first hefty payment of the surgery clinic in Switzerland. Instead he’d found a middle ground by selling some of their belongings. His mother had amassed wealth in paintings and clothing and accessories. Isolde had given him the green-light to auction the items away, pawn whatever he could.

Alec saw her less as his flighty mother, and more as a stable support system—the only support system in his life at the moment. It’s not like Alec could rely on his half-brothers.

Neither of them had bothered calling since he and his mother moved to the city.

And though it saddened him to see her leave, he knew that this was best for her mental health. The scars had done a number on her physically, and despite what she said, Isolde prided herself on her beauty.

“I do,” she said, taking a step closer, bridging the gap between them. Gripping his shoulders and turning him to face her fully, she tilted her head back to meet his stare and she continued, “I thought you might want to come along.”

“What?” Alec shook his head. “I can’t,” he started.

Isolde cut him off. “You can.” She touched his stomach, smiling. “And you’re not too far along to enjoy yourself.”

“How did you know?” Alec felt his face warm despite knowing full well there was no need to be shy with his mother. She understood why he’d married JT in the first place. The ruse to unlock his father’s two-hundred million inheritance.

“A mother knows,” was all she said, smiling wider, the twinkle in her eyes unable to be shrouded by her veil. She gave him a quick squeeze, backing up and turning. “Think on it, Alec. I’d like to book our tickets to St. Gallen tonight.”

Alec watched her go, disappearing into her room at the end of the short corridor.

He made his sandwich slowly, thinking on what the vacation might do for him. It would mean more money, and he’d have to find a place to stay, but perhaps he could sell this penthouse suite. Put down a bit more and find a smaller, less lavish, certainly less pricey home once they returned to the States.

The more he thought on it, the more his mother’s suggestion made sense.

Alec walked his sandwich to his room. Closing his door, he sat at his desk, setting aside the sandwich and tall cool glass of OJ. As hungry as he was, it dissipated for a moment as he scrolled through his laptop for rental property in or near St. Gallen, Switzerland. He found plenty, and he noted the number of at least two real estate companies hosting the properties.

Powering his laptop down, he munched into his sandwich and thought on what he would leave behind here.

“Not you,” he mumbled around the sandwich, rubbing his belly, smiling at the baby that didn’t know his name or face yet. Alec’s heart panged, his thoughts careening to JT. He’d be leaving the alpha behind. Realizing he would have to meet with JT in the near future, to let him know about their baby, Alec swallowed his next bite and, unsurprisingly, the turkey sandwich went down the way chalk might.

He gulped at his OJ, coughing when it went down the wrong way. Hands shaking, he walked from his desk to his bed. There he pulled out the album he’d secreted away. The wedding photos from their quick ceremony. There wasn’t much in there, but Alec stroked the photos of their smiling faces, his fingers lingering over JT’s handsome face.

Alec would have to tell him. But for now, their baby would remain his secret.

Decision made, and fearful he’d go back on it, Alec moved back to his laptop, fired it up and booked two tickets to Geneva, and from Geneva they’d take a train to St. Gallen. Alec shot off emails to the rental companies near the small town they would be calling home for the next six or so months.

Once he was done, Alec made his way to his mother.

She looked up when he entered, smiling. “Have you thought on it?”

“I have,” Alec said. “I also booked our tickets. That is, if you still want my company?”

“Yours and my first grandchild,” she corrected, opening her arms and sweeping him into a hug. She brushed her lips over his cheek, whispering, “Ready for a new beginning?”

Did she even have to ask?