“Alice, you gave me a fucking heart attack,” Ethan says as I near him. “I saw Kyle zooming off in his car. What’s going on? Have you been crying? Did he hurt you?” He starts fussing around me, so I put my hand up to stop him.

“It’s okay. Kyle just wanted to meet me and give me this.” I hold up the envelope.

Ethan looks at it, then back at me with a worried frown. “What is it?”

“My divorce papers. He signed them. I don’t have to go to court.”

Grabbing my shoulders, he smiles. “But that’s fantastic news. You no longer have to be known as Mrs. Armstrong.” He frowns. “Why do you not look happy about this?”

I smile. “I am. I am,” I protest. “It’s just... You weren’t here to see him. He looked like a broken man, Ethan.”

“Not your problem anymore.”

“I know... And I know there’s no excuse for his past behaviour, but he’s been through hell the past three months. He’s lost his father, he started getting drunk and getting into fights, he’s gone to AA. He’s trying to make amends.”

Ethan’s face softens as he pulls me in for a hug. “I’m sorry if I snapped. When you told me where you were going and who you were meeting, I became desperate. I tried to call you, but you didn’t answer. All sorts of shit went through my head.”

I snuggle into his chest and breathe in his sweet scent. “I know. I’m so sorry. I just felt I needed to give him ten minutes of my time. I’m really glad I did.”

He pulls away and looks at me. “And you really think he’s turned a corner?”

I nod. “I really do. He looks so different. Besides, I can’t say he’s playing a game here. He signed the papers.” I hold them up.

“Make sure you call the solicitor and get them straight over. In fact, do you want to drive over there now? I have some time until my next appointment.”

I shake my head. “No, it’s okay. Could you come for a drink with me, though? I’m really thirsty. I could use the company, as well.”

Throwing his arm around my shoulders, he smiles. “Of course. Let’s find the nearest café.”

We find a place about five minutes down the road. I order an orange juice, and Ethan gets a coffee. We chat for an hour until he has to leave to get back to work.

We walk out to the car. “I feel terrible leaving you.” Pulling me close, he bends down and places a warm, tender kiss against my lips. “I will never tire of kissing you, Ms Fairchild.”

I smile against his mouth. “I won’t with you, either.”

He groans. “I don’t want to go to work. Can you write me a sick note?”

I laugh, then kiss him seductively. “Only if that means you’ll take me home and ravish me like I know you can.”

Ethan groans again. “You’re impossible, woman.”

“I try my best.”

“I have to see this appointment, but I promise that when I get back, I will ravish you the way I know how.” He raises his eyebrows, then gives me a quick peck on the lips. “Look after yourself.” He bends down to kiss my stomach. “And the little one.”

“He or she is not so little anymore. About the size of a hundred kumquats right now.”

“She will be the most beautiful girl in the world. Next to her mother, of course.”

“Well, if she looks anything like her daddy, I’m sure she will.”

“I love you,” he suddenly blurts, kissing me again.

“Love you, too.”

He opens his car door and jumps in. “Be ready when I get home.” He gives me a cheeky wink and shuts the door.

As I watch him drive off, an uneasy feeling forms in the pit of my stomach. Why did Kyle say what he did about Ethan? I can’t understand it. Ethan is nothing like how Kyle treated me. What is it about him that I can’t trust?

Walking to my car, I think all sorts of things, but nothing adds up. Once I get in and sit down, I place the envelope against the steering wheel and stare at it. After a few minutes, I decide to open it. As I look through the papers, I can see that he’s signed everywhere he’s supposed to. As I get to the last page, something white slips out and onto the floor.

With great difficulty, because of my bump, I pick up the piece of paper, thinking it’s a compliment slip. But when I turn it over, I see it’s a note from Kyle.

Ask Ethan about the paternity test.

I frown and look on the other side to see if there is more, but there’s nothing. What on earth could that mean? I would normally say this is just Kyle playing another game, but something inside me believes he was genuine today.

Which just leads me to one conclusion.

Checking the time, I see I only have around three hours before Ethan gets home. We’re not living together yet, but we both have keys to each other’s houses.

With no time to lose, I start the car and drive off. I head for his place, getting a call from my solicitor. With my hands free, I answer.

“Alice, I have good news—”

“I know,” I say, cutting him off. “I’ve just met with Kyle. He gave me the papers. Do I need to bring them to you?”

“No, that’s fine. Mr. Armstrong’s solicitor sent me a copy. I must admit, I’m so glad this was able to be settled out of court. I was convinced Mr. Armstrong was going to make things as difficult as possible.”

I laugh a little. “Me, too.”

“I have the paperwork for you to sign in regards to your name change. Do you want me to send them, or can you make it in sometime tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow will be fine. Maybe during my lunch hour, if that’s okay? Around two?”

“Perfect. I’ll see you then.”

I pull up to Ethan’s place, park, and dig into my purse for his spare key.

Once I let myself in, I close the door behind me and rush toward his workspace. If I’m going to find anything of interest, it’ll be in here.

I try to pull open the file cabinet, but it’s no use. I curse, looking for a key, finding nothing. I start pulling out his desk drawers, not finding anything of interest. Closing my eyes, I lean against the wall and take a deep breath. This is useless. Maybe this was just a last-ditch attempt from Kyle.

Shaking my head, I push away from the wall, noticing a pad with writing on it sitting on his desk. I start looking through. Most are random. Names, numbers, appointments, that sort of thing. But something catches my eye.

Drinks with SJV. Remember £10K.

I frown, wondering what this is about. I try to find a date before or after the squiggles, but only one pops out…from four months ago.

I pull Ethan’s chair out and sit down, wondering if this means anything. Then it strikes me. Digging out my phone, I bring WhatsApp up. I search for Kyle’s unknown number and pull up the photo of the paternity letter. When I do, I’m shocked. Signed at the bottom is the name Doctor SJ Vaughan. Surely this isn’t a coincidence.

Getting up and grabbing my things, I leave. There’s only one person who can answer my question. There’s only one person who needs to.