“Are you sure you want to do this?”

I glanced around the cabin once more as I waited for Mia to answer me. I didn’t like the thought of leaving this place. I’d become accustomed to having her to myself over the last month. Now I didn’t want to return to Music Haven and share her time with anyone else.

It wasn’t the only reason I wanted to stay. We still weren’t sure if Izzy was making any real progress in the therapy she was receiving. Shane assured us that she was taking her medication and he’d witnessed her doing so on several occasions.

As for me, I wasn’t convinced.

Mia walked out of the kitchen with a smile on her face. “Trust me. I’d rather stay here with you and not worry about anything else, but it’s the New Year. January is busy. I have to prep taxes and have W-2’s ready by the end of the month.”

“I know.” I scuffed my boot across the floor, tempted to pout like a kid to see if I could get my way. I wouldn’t, of course. Besides, I respected what Mia did, and the guys and I needed to prep for our next album and plan a tour.

“Is everything already packed in the SUV?”

“Yes.” I glanced at her. “The only thing left is for you and me to load up and hit the road.”

She sauntered toward me, wrapping her arms around my neck. “Don’t worry. We’ll sneak off again before the baby gets here.”

“I guess I’m worried about going back when we don’t know what frame of mind your sister is in. What if she’s still a mess?”

“I’ve thought about that too, which is why I’ve decided that if she shows any signs of aggression, we’ll leave. If I can go back long enough to get things started for taxes, my accountant can handle the rest with Andi’s help.”

Slumping my shoulders, I nodded at her. “Okay. We’ll go back and see how things go, but I swear, Mia, if she starts her shit, we’re not staying. Either she leaves, or we do.”

Mia caressed my cheek and smiled. “You read my mind. Believe me, Ayden, I won’t chance our safety.”

Grabbing her hand, I kissed her palm and then laced my fingers with hers. No matter how much I dreaded seeing my ex-girlfriend, I knew Mia had obligations she couldn’t avoid. Music Haven was her legacy, and it would be our child’s legacy someday. She had to do this. I just hoped she knew I wouldn’t be leaving her side.

Approaching the front door, I grabbed the handle and opened it. I didn’t make the first step out before I stopped dead in my tracks. It took blinking a couple times and questioning my eyesight before I realized I wasn’t seeing things. Then anger burst through me.

“What the fuck are you doing here?”

Mia’s hands tightened around my arms as we both stood there, staring at the last person either of us expected to show up at the cabin—Wesley. If I didn’t get an explanation soon, I was going to punch him.

“I’m not here to cause trouble.” He held his hands in front of him defensively. “I came to help you.”

“Help us?” I snorted at the idea. “Why the hell would we trust you? As it stands, it appears you’re stalking Mia. I should beat the living shit out of you.”

“I’m not stalking anyone. I have information you want.”

Blocking Mia with my body, I crossed my arms over my chest and studied Wesley. “What kind of information?”

Wesley observed me a moment before the tension in his body faded. “It’s about Izzy.”

There was no denying his answer sparked my curiosity. Still, I didn’t trust him. He was a piece of shit that lied and hurt Mia more times than he should have. Why would I believe anything he had to say?

“You have lied more times than anyone can count. Why should we listen to anything you say? Furthermore, how did you even know we were here? The only people who know would never tell you.”

“I have a friend who was able to hack her phone and find her location.”

“Are you serious?” Mia’s voice shook as she tossed her hands in the air. “Great. Guess I’ll be getting a new phone when I get home.”

“I’m sorry, but I had to find you before you returned to Music Haven. My lawyer tried to reach out to your lawyer, but he said you weren’t in town.”

The cold air drifting into the cabin caused Mia to tremble. I wrapped my arm around her and moved enough that Wesley could walk inside. He shut the door behind him and remained by it as he glanced around the cabin.

“We’re on our way back to Music Haven and it’s a long drive, so whatever you have to say, be quick.”

Wesley nodded at me. “Did you get the package I sent?”

My face tingled as I thought back to the package I received with the memory stick. Now we knew who had sent it. “That was you?”

“Yeah. I didn’t think you would answer my text after the last one I sent was ignored.”

His words had me gritting my teeth. “What other text?”

“The one I sent when you were at the hospital after Izzy miscarried.”

“How the hell did you know about that if you aren’t stalking us?”

“Because I still have friends inside the community. One of them messaged me because I asked them to keep tabs on Izzy.”

Confusion spiraled through me. Why would Wesley want to keep tabs on Izzy? He’d obsessed over Mia since they broke up. Nothing he said made sense, and it increased my suspicion.

“Why did you want info about Izzy?”

“Because the kid she was carrying, the one she pinned on you . . . If you really didn’t sleep with her, then the baby she lost was mine.”

Mia gasped. When I glanced her way, she was covering her mouth with her hand and shaking her head. “The recording you sent was from a conversation she had with you. Right?”

“Yeah. Izzy was determined to break up you and Ayden, not because she wanted him, but because she wanted you to suffer. I’ve been a part of her game for too long.”

“You were a part of it because you wanted to torment me.” Mia pointed at herself as her brows knitted. “Do you think coming here and telling us this will help you get your job back?”

“No, I don’t, and there’s a reason why I went along with Izzy’s schemes, something that doesn’t involve you.”

The anger Mia felt for Wesley showed in the way she narrowed her eyes on him. “Like what?”

“Each time I helped her screw with you, she gave me money. I used it to pay off some of my mother’s medical bills. Even when I had my job at Music Haven, I struggled to meet some of the payments.”

It sounded like a lie to me. Yet when I looked at Mia, I saw compassion in her eyes. Did Wesley have a chronically ill mother?

“I thought your mom was okay? You said she was in remission just before we split up.”

“That changed last Christmas. The cancer is back and more aggressive than ever.”

As much as I didn’t want to believe him, I couldn’t help but feel a certain level of sympathy. If what he said was correct, it meant his mother was battling for her life. I couldn’t imagine my mother going through the same. Wesley might be the biggest asshole I’d ever met, but it didn’t mean he didn’t love his mother. From what I was witnessing now, he loved her more than anything.

“So what information do you have for us?”

When Wesley acknowledged me, he slumped his shoulders. “I called Chris a few weeks ago and asked him if there was any way to find out if the baby Izzy miscarried was mine. He explained how you were having a DNA test done and how I could do the same. He met me last week to do the test. Now I’m waiting for results.”

“What a nightmare.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Listen, I never believed Izzy and I slept together, but part of me worried she somehow got me to, uh, perform while I was passed out. I’m expecting my DNA results any day.”

“So you don’t have them yet?” When I shook my head, Wesley’s jaw flinched. “Fuck. I was hoping your results were in.”

“You know what kind of person Izzy is. How do you know for sure that the baby was yours? Who’s to say she didn’t sleep with other people? I mean, she was going to try and convince me that her kid was mine, regardless if she actually slept with me.”

“Which is why I asked for the DNA test. Yeah, the baby is gone, but I need to know if that kid was mine.” Wesley tapped his fingers against the front door and gazed off. “I met someone, and it’s serious enough that I could see myself settling down and having a family someday. Still, I want to know if Izzy’s baby was mine. I can’t start a family without answers.”

I didn’t ask him why it was so crucial for him to know if the baby was his before he could start a family. He had his reasons, and that was good enough.

“Trust me, I wish I already had my results. I can let you know when I do get them.”

“You would do that?” He seemed shocked by my offer, but little did he know, I was just as surprised. I didn’t have to tell him anything, but after what I went through due to Izzy’s accusations, I understood the unknown and how much it sucked not to have answers.

“I may not like you Wesley, but I understand you wanting to know the truth. So yes, I will let you know when I get my results.”

“I appreciate it.” He glanced at the door and sighed. “Guess I should get out of here. I promised my girlfriend I wouldn’t be gone long. She knew I was coming to see you.”

Mia leaned her body into mine as she regarded her ex-boyfriend. “It’s good to hear you’re honest with this woman. If what you’re saying is true, then it sounds like she’s good for you.”

“You have no idea.” He laughed half-heartedly as he opened the door. “Have a safe trip home.”

“Likewise,” I told him as Mia and I stood in the doorway. I waited until he returned to his vehicle and disappeared down the driveway before shutting and locking the door.

“Well, at least we know who sent the package to you,” Mia said as she held on to my arm.

“Yeah. But that whole conversation blew my mind. It also makes me feel like I was right all along. I never slept with Izzy and I sure as hell didn’t get her pregnant. I have a feeling that the baby was Wesley’s.”

“Let’s hope that’s the case. I don’t want you to mourn the loss of a child.”

“Nor do I.” As I helped her into the SUV, I gave her a kiss then shut the door and went to the driver’s side. Though I still didn’t want to share Mia with the rest of the world, I was ready to get back to Music Haven. Hopefully, the results of the DNA test were in. Then I would know for sure if the baby Izzy lost was mine.

The truth would expose her for the liar she was. I only wished the test could prove that she knew the baby was gone before she fell down the stairs. That would strip her of what little power she thought she had.

Ayden carried our luggage inside the suite as I closed the door behind him and checked the mail Andi left on the counter. Most of it was Christmas cards from bands who got their start at Music Haven. Others were from people I knew in the industry.

After Ayden discarded the luggage in the bedroom, he found his mail not far from where mine had been laying. I knew he was searching for the letter from the lab that did the DNA test. He mentioned it on the drive back, telling me that if the results hadn’t been mailed, he would follow up with Chris.

When he reached the bottom of his stack, he pressed his lips together, his shoulders slumping. “Looks like I didn’t get a letter.”

“Guess that means we need to find Chris. He’s probably in his office. Give me a second to put this mail on my desk then we can head over.”

Ayden followed me into the office as I set the stack of mail on my desk. Judging by the papers, folders, and pens scattered all over the place, I assumed my father had spent time working in here. It’s where I came when I needed complete silence to focus.

Leaving the mess for another day, I grabbed Ayden’s hand and led him out the side door. The community grounds were abuzz with employees and guests. We passed several people on our way to Chris’s office, smiling and waving at each one. We were a couple blocks away when I heard someone calling my name.

My father stood on the other side of the water fountain near the gate surrounding the community. He was chatting with the postman, collecting today’s mail. After he waved goodbye to him, he jogged toward us.

“Hey, Dad.”

“Hi, princess. I’m glad to see you two made it home safely.”

“We just got in a few minutes ago.”

Dad smiled at us as he sorted through the mail. “Do you want me to take this to your suite or do you want it?”

I glanced at the pile of letters in his hands and shook my head. “I don’t want to carry it with me. Do you mind leaving it on my desk?”

“Sure will. Where are you two heading?”

Ayden met my eyes when I looked at him, unsure what to say. My father knew Ayden had planned to have a DNA test done on the baby my sister lost, but that was before she miscarried. He had no clue that Chris arranged for the test to be performed with the fetal remains.

“We’re on our way to see Chris.”

His brow wrinkled. “Is everything okay with the baby?”

“Yes, the baby is fine.”

“Good to hear. I know you’re due for a checkup soon. Well, I won’t keep you. Oh, before I forget, this is for you, Ayden.” My father handed a letter to him. “It came certified so I had to sign for it.”

Ayden studied the envelope and then glanced at my dad. “Thank you, Shane. I’ve been expecting this.”

“No problem. I’ll catch up with you two in a little while.”

We waved to him as he headed back toward the arena. Once he was out of hearing range, Ayden looked at me. “It’s from the lab. I hope it’s the results.”

“Open it,” I encouraged him. There was hesitation in his eyes, but he finally tore one end of the envelope. Just as he slipped out the letter and unfolded it, I felt someone watching us. He must have sensed the same thing because he peered up from the letter and scanned our surroundings. We both saw Izzy at the same time.

“Oh, joy. Look who made it back.”

“Come on, Ayden. Let’s go to the suite. We can finish what we were doing in privacy.”

“Don’t leave on my account. I was just on my way to find Dad.” Izzy studied me a moment as I grew uncomfortable in her presence. “Wow, sis. You should lay off the carbs. Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you should let yourself go.”

I ignored the dig. Izzy wanted a reaction from me, but I refused to give her one. The way she glared at me was unsettling. I covered my belly from her prying eyes in hopes she would stop staring, but I noticed her squinting her eyes.

“Hang on a second. What is that?” She pointed toward me. “Did you guys get married?”

Ayden’s arm went around me as he pulled me toward him and away from Izzy. “Yes, we did.” I knew he wanted to rub it in her face, but he was trying his best not to agitate Izzy. “Now if you’ll excuse us—”

“I guess I should congratulate you.” Her nostrils flared as she took turns glaring at Ayden and me. “I won’t though. Neither of you deserve anything but misery.”

She stalked off before either of us could respond. It was just as well. Neither of us wanted to talk to her. Besides, Ayden had a letter from the DNA lab. Hopefully, it was the results and not a letter stating the findings were inconclusive like the first test that was performed.

“The coast is clear. Open the letter.”

He nodded then unfolded the paper again. As he skimmed over the words, my gut twisted. He wasn’t saying anything, and his face was void of emotion. I didn’t know what to think.

I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, doing my best to remain patient. After what felt like an eternity, he lowered his hands to his sides. The ground became his focal point as he struggled to form words.

Fearing the worst, I touched his shoulder and gave him a gentle shake. “No matter what it says, we’ll get through it. I promise.”

“It wasn’t mine.” He released the breath he’d been holding and finally met my gaze. “I’m not the father. Hell has a better chance of freezing. See the percentage?”

When he pointed to the figure on the paper, I smiled. “You’re definitely not a match.”

Did that mean my ex-boyfriend was?

Memories of the day Izzy accused Ayden of sleeping with her played through my mind. He’d pleaded with me to believe him when he said he didn’t sleep with her. I’d been too angry to listen. Thank God we found our way back to each other.

The memories faded as Ayden embraced me. I sensed how relieved he was to learn the truth. He was happy because this chapter in his life could be closed. It was time to write a new story—our story.