The tears I'd been holding back spilled over first.
Seeing me like this, something in Serena's expression softened.
"Alex, I… I know I hurt you. It's my fault. But I promise—from now on, I'll never make you suffer again, okay?"
I shook my head.
Her expression turned cold instantly.
Before she could speak, Kyle came upstairs first.
"Alex, please don't argue with Ms. Gilbert. If you want to blame someone, blame me. I didn't know what was good for me. You paid for my education, and I…"
"I swear to you—once the baby's born, I'll disappear. She can have the child call you Dad."
"Please! Please don't kick me out!"
He dropped to his knees right in front of me with a thud, eyes brimming with tears, as if he were the one who'd been wronged.
Serena immediately bent down to help him up. When she turned back to me, only ice remained in her gaze.
"Alex! I'm about to give birth—don't you know that!"
"If you have a problem, take it up with me. Why are you making things hard for him? He's just a kid!"
Watching her hold Kyle protectively in her arms, eyes full of wariness toward me, my heart sank to rock bottom.
My voice came out flat.
"Relax. Once I grab my things, I'm gone. I won't disturb you two."