Even though Alsie said I could sleep in the same bed with her, I opt out of it. I wasn't sure what was going on. I don't know if she probably meant it last night and then when she awoke beside me, she would feel differently. Something I didn't want to deal with this morning. It was nearing 8 am and Alsie was still in a deep sleep. I tried to wake her, but she only groaned and asked to be left alone. Not much I can do. I grab a suit from my closet and go back to the guest room. I don't have the luxury of sleeping in. While I wanted to take the day off after spending time in the gym with Juju--I feel pretty fine.

I wonder what the hell was going on in Alsie's mind for her to come here so late last night in her pajamas. I leave a note on the kitchen counter telling her it's okay to take the day off and rest. I will talk to her when I get off work. She is more than welcome to stay here until I get back, but knowing her she will leave. 

Leaving out my house I'm welcomed by the vibration of my phone.

Selena. Her name lights up my screen and I send the call to voicemail. Upon entering the car my phone vibrates again. What the hell does she want? Sending the call to voicemail once more I put the car in drive heading to work. The sleek 50-floor office building is in my view as my phone rings again. 

Incoming call from Selena, the voice says through the car speakers.

"What Selena?" I answer annoyed but slightly concern something was wrong for her to call me three times.

"You answered." I can hear the smile in her voice.

"Of course I answered, you won't stop fucking calling. What do you want?"

"Do you have time to grab lunch with me today? I would like to talk--"

"No. I'll be busy with meetings all day. Whatever you have to say, you can say it over the phone." I'm close to just hanging up the phone on her. This is not how I want my day to start. I dont want to deal with this nonsense. Selena was the kind of person to manipulate people for her own selfish reasons.

"I rather talk to you in person."

"Goodbye Selena, dont call my phone--"

"Zoey is yours. I lied."

I quickly pull over in front of the office building. Not believing what I just heard.

"Selena cut the shit."

"It's true. I lied because I thought I could be happy without you. I thought you wanted Charles more than me and our family, so I thought I would do you a favor and just leave. I'm so sorry Darren. I should have never--"

I hung up. She is lying she has to be lying. She walked out of my life without looking back telling me Zoey wasn't mine. Oh fuck Alsie, what am I supposed to tell her? I should make sure Zoey is mine before saying anything. I need to get all the facts first. I get out of my car handing the key to one of the guards asking if they can take my car to the garage. My phone vibrates again and it's a Selena.

"You're lying to me and please stop fucking calling my phone. I'm with Alise now." I say through gritted teeth as I step onto the elevator. A few employees step out of the elevator giving me a tight smile. I welcome their need to give me space and privacy.

"I'm not lying Darren. She is yours."

"I want a DNA test."

"I already had one done. When you came over to my parents' house that time, I took your utensils to make sure. Zoey and you share a lot of similarities and I noticed that night. I just had to be sure. The envelope has been sitting in my office for weeks and I was scared to open it. I opened it last night and she is yours."

The elevator stops on my floor. "I have to go."

I walk into my office and not a second goes by and Caroline is walking in with a bright yellow dress on and a smile on her face. I can see she woke up on the right side of the bed this morning. Tugging at the tie around my neck, I sit down loosening it. Why would Selena wait until now to say something, Her step-sister is pregnant with my child. how the hell can I explain any of this if it's true.

"Someone looks grumpy. Did you not get laid last night?" Caroline smiles at me.

"I slept perfectly fine, I just received some disturbing news that's all. If Selena calls please tell her I'm out and not to call anymore." I huff, shuffling through the files on my desk. I don't look up at Caroline to give further explanation and she catches on quick. Telling me will do, she walks out of the office.

I bury myself in work all morning until I have the meeting with guys about the planning for Q4.

"Surprise you are still standing." Chase raises an eyebrow at me as I walk into the meeting room. "I guess you didn't see Juju?"

"Oh, I saw her. I just didn't do too much." I say, taking a seat. "She wanted to gossip for a bit."

"Yep, that will do it. She loves to gossip." Everett says. "I remember she didn't want to hear a thing about Tameka for months and now she's fine with it."

"I still can't believe Tameka allows you to see Juju," Miguel says in disbelief.

"Mama keeps her man satisfied." Everett winks.

"Eww," Vincent says. "So can we get to the matter at hand? I have an appointment at three.

Over the next hour and a half, we were going over everything for the holiday season. From the marketing and promotions to the merchandise and so on. I still can't believe we started off in the Croakington house and now we're here. Sacrificing was something we all knew too well when it came to getting this company to where it is today. I shift in my seat thinking about what Selena told me this morning and I contemplate if I should tell the guys. No, I need to speak to Alsie first before sharing this with anyone else.

The meeting room door opens, slamming against the wall. Caroline looks around the room until her eyes land on mine.

"What the hell?" Austin snaps looking over at her.

"Sorry. Darren, you need to get to the hospital." Her eyes filled with unshed tears.

I stand to my feet quickly. "What ha--"

"Alsie got into a car accident. We were on the phone and I just heard a loud crash and she's not answering her phone. I've been calling her for ten minutes now. I think they took her to the hospital." Caroline rushes out hyperventilating. I don't listen or ask any more questions. I move at the speed of light. I hear the guys moving just as quickly. Shit, Alise please be okay.

We call every hospital within a 15-mile radius and found the one Alsie has been taken to. The guys and I sit in the waiting room, while the doctors work on Alsie. The cop who was waiting at the hospital said Alsie was driving down the street when I van ran the red light, t-boning her. Alsie's car spun out and hit a pole. I just pray my she and our child are alright.

"I want the bastard who did this to her underneath the jail," Miguel says calmly.

"The cop said it is a woman driver and she is in surgery too," Chase speaks up, anger evident in his voice. "Why the fuck would she run a red light."

The guys talked among themselves for a bit, before we all sat in utter silence. thirty minutes went by and now we're approaching an hour when the doctor operating on Alise comes out. With the look in his eyes, I know something wasn't right.

"The family of Alise Alexander?" the doctor calls. The guys and I rush towards him. The doctor is a bit startled but clears his throat. "Which one is her husband?"

"I am." I say stepping up."

"We tried everything we could to save your child, but the impact of the crash was too serve. I'm sorry for your loss. Your wife is out of surgery and is doing great. I'll send a nurse to come and get you when we have her settled in a room." I watch the doctor walk back between the doors. I don't know I'm falling until Austin wraps his arms around my torso holding me up.

This can't be happening. My child--our child is gone.