The Secret Billionaire

Chapter 26

ERIS

"She's beautiful, Alana," I said as I held her baby girl in my arms. "What did you decide to name her?"
"Emma," Alana smiled. I could tell she was so tired.
"You should go to sleep. I can take care of them," I offered, and she nodded. She closed her eyes, and a few seconds later, she was lightly snoring.
"Hey, baby Emma," I cooed. She opened her eyes as if she understood that was her name. Nathan walked in carefully, and I motioned for him to come in. As he closed the door, Mathew pushed it open and smiled. His eyes lit up as soon as he saw the baby in my arms.
"She just fell asleep," I walked over to them.
"Would you like to hold her?" I asked Mathew, and he nodded. I carefully handed her to him, and his smile got wider. "Her name is Emma,"
She looked so tiny compared to his significant figure. He could hold her with one hand.
"Is this how small Elijah was when he was first born?" He asked without taking his eyes off her. She has him wrapped around her little finger already.
"He was slightly bigger," Nathan replied.
Mathew went to go sit down by the window while admiring Emma. He was rocking her back and forth, making sure she stayed asleep.
"Thank you for letting him stay," I turned to look at him and whispered, "What did he tell you?"
"Let's talk about it later," He dismissed and kissed my head.

~

Alana was free to go home two days later on bed rest. Nathan agreed to let Mathew stay with us in the meantime. I don't know why or how long he was staying. Nathan only told me he didn't have a choice and wanted to keep him close.
Mathew took my old room, and we moved all my stuff to Nathan's. For some reason, he didn't want me to go to work either. It's not like I've been going either way. Nathan said he called Greg and "took care of it." Whatever that means.
Stacy has been texting me daily, asking when we would go out again. Every time I would ask Nathan if I could go out with her, he would make an excuse as to why I couldn't. I was tired of him making up excuses, and I was going to switch things up. I sent the last message to Stacy and looked up at Nathan.
"I'm going out with Stacy for dinner tonight," I demanded. Well, at least I tried to. As soon as Nathan turned to look at me, I sank back onto the couch.
"I was supposed to take you to dinner tonight, remember?" He placed his phone aside, and I sighed.
"For what?" I crossed my arms, and he shrugged. "I won't let you tell me what I can and can't do," I sat up and, as intimidated as he was making me feel, I didn't break eye contact with him. "What's the excuse now?"
"I want to keep you safe. I'm doing it for you,"
"And you think I'm safe here? The elevator goes directly into the living room," He looked away, and I scoffed. I got up to walk away, but he quickly pulled me down onto his lap.
"I'm just worried about your safety. I am not trying to control you," He buried his face into my neck, and I tilted my head up.
I moaned and said, "Is there something I should be worried about?"
"Yes, Nathan's vulnerability. I had never seen it before," I turned my head and saw Mathew leaning on the kitchen door frame.
"Didn't I tell you to mind your business?" Nathan said through gritted teeth. Mathew threw his head back in a fit of laughter and walked back into the kitchen.
"Go, have fun," Nathan kissed me, and I smiled. "I'm sorry for delaying this so much,"
"It's fine. I'll text you, okay?" I said and kissed him again. "Stacy is almost here. I'll be back later,"
I was making my way down the familiar path, squeezing past the crowded lobby and into the car with a very eager Stacy in the driver's seat.
"Hey, stranger, long time no see! How are you?" She asked as she drove away.
"I'm fine. Sorry for taking so long to be able to come with you. Alana's baby was born, and Nathan's brother is here-"
"Whoa, hold up, brother? Is he as hot as him?"
"They certainly are brothers," I laughed.
"How's baby..."
"Emma," I finished her sentence. "She's amazing. Beautiful,"
"Maybe I'll visit her soon," She glanced over and smiled. "So this brother..."
"Mathew," I shook my head. Here we go.
"Gosh, even his name sounds alluring. Is he single?"
"I don't know, but he is older."
"By a lot?"
"Older than Nathan."
"You know what, It doesn't matter. You know I like my men older," She wiggled her eyebrows my way, and I laughed. "Big bonus if he lives in a luxurious building as well,"
We arrived at the restaurant, and I quickly pulled out my phone to text Nathan.
"Who knows? Maybe I can even be your sister-in-law!" She clapped.
This was going to be a...fascinating dinner. Finally, I'll be able to catch up with her after so long.

~

"Thank you so much!" I said as I closed the door.
"Don't forget to help me meet that hot brother of Nathan," Stacy winked, and I laughed.
I waved goodbye as the car drove off and went into the building. On my way up, I texted Nathan and waited patiently for the elevator to open again. Ding! I walked into the living room and heard faint yelling from the hallway. Alana walked in with Emma in her arms.
"Why are you up? What's going on?" I asked her, and she shook her head.
"He wants to kick him out." She sobbed, and I took Emma from her. "If they don't keep their voices low, Elijah will wake up,"
"Explain to me what happened," We sat on the couch, and she looked up at me.
"Mathew was upset, and he had important information for Nathan. They went into his office to discuss things, and they started arguing. I went in there to try to calm him down and-" She broke out into sobs again. The doors slammed open, and I adjusted Emma in my arms.
"You need to tell her!" I heard Mathew yell.
"I will tell her when I want to. You stay out of it!" Nathan yelled. They entered the living room and froze when they saw us on the couch.
"I didn't know you were here already," Nathan shifted awkwardly on his feet.
"I texted you. Is there something you need to tell me?" I asked, and he ran his hand through his hair. "Nathan, is it about Darius? Is he out of prison?"
Mathew was confused and looked at me, "Who's that?"
"My abusive ex," I caught a glimpse of his face of realization, and he shook his head.
"He saved you," He mumbled to himself.
"This is why I didn't want you back in our lives. Why I told you to stay away," Nathan said, and I turned my attention to him.
"Wait, what?" Alana asked and stood up. "For years, you told me Mathew was dead, but you're why he never came to visit?"
This is not going to end well.