Falling For His Escort [Book #3]

Chapter 29

Mason's POV
"Aww, don't you look handsome." Charlotte stepped forward to adjust my tie, her honey brown eyes glittering with excitement. "I'm so proud of you, Masey. You've come a long way."

"Thanks, Lottie." The smile on my face faded when I heard a unexpected knock at the door. I told Harlynn that I would pick her up, so it couldn't have been her. "Are you expecting someone?"

Charlotte shook her head. I motioned for her to go sit on the couch with Ava before shushing Lady for barking. She wagged her tail, whining with excitement.

Opening the door, I cursed when I saw who was standing on the other side of the door. "Silas? What are you doing here?"

"We need to talk."

I blocked the doorway as best I could, not wanting him to see Charlotte and Ava.

"About what?"

"Charlotte. I can't stop thinking about her."

I frowned.

Silas sighed. "I know you hate me for cheating on her, but you of all people should know how much I loved her. I still do love her."

"If you loved her, then you wouldn't have slept with another woman."

Silas' brows furrowed. "I'm not here to argue with you, Mase. I know what an asshole I was to her."

"I don't want to talk about this right now. I have somewhere I need to be."

I tried to close the door, but he stuck his foot in the doorway and pushed the door open. "Just give me a minute. I need some advice on..."

Charlotte and Ava, who I'd left sitting on the couch, had been revealed.

Shit.

Charlotte held on to Ava, the toddler staring at the man she still didn't know was her father.

"C-Char?" Silas' jaw fell slack, his eyes watering as he stared in shock. He didn't think he'd ever see Charlotte again. Confused, his eyes darted back and forth between Charlotte and Ava.

Charlotte looked to me and nodded. I guess since she really didn't have a choice anymore, she was going to have tell him about Ava now sooner than she had originally planned.

As Silas stepped inside, I closed the door and picked up Lady. She kept wiggling in my arms, trying to get my cousin's attention.

Silas turned to me, anger and hurt written across his face. "You knew she was here and didn't tell me? I thought we were family."

"We are, Silas. But Charlotte is family too. Besides, it wasn't my place to tell."

"That's bullshit and you know it," he growled.

I glared at him. "Don't curse in front of the kid."

Having forgotten about the toddler in Charlotte's arms, his gaze flickered back to Charlotte. "I called you everyday. I guess now I know why you didn't return any of them."

"It's not what you think, Silas."

"What do you mean? You're clearly with someone else," he said, his tone dripping with jealously.

I knew Charlotte was going to want me to stay just in case something goes wrong, so I sent Harlynn a quick text, letting her know I was going to be a little late.

Silas sounded so heartbroken. I haven't seen him like this in a long time. Little does he know, the kid he thinks belongs to another is actually his.

Charlotte never spent time with anyone else. Not only did she not have time once she became a mother, but her heart only ever belonged to Silas.

"I'm not seeing anyone."

Silas frowned. "Oh, so you just decided to spread your legs to the first man you saw?"

I stepped forward and grabbed his shoulder. He glanced back at me. "Watch your mouth, Silas."

His features softened when he realized what he had said. He looked back at Charlotte. "Char, I'm so-"

"No," she cut in, beginning to sob. "Screw you."

I didn't want Ava seeing or hearing any of this, so I had her go in my room and watch TV.

"I think you should leave, Silas."

I was trying to be polite despite the urge to punch my cousin in his face. Seeing Charlotte cry pissed me off, because it reminded me of how I had to comfort her after Silas cheated and left her a single mother.

Silas ignored me. "Charlotte," he said firmly. When she didn't reply, he walked over to her and dropped down on to his kness.

I rolled my eyes.

"Baby, please look at me." He reached for her shaky hands as she slowly met his gaze. "I was upset. I didn't mean it."

"You're a fucking idiot, you know that?"

He kept his voice soft, not wanting to upset her even more. "I know, baby." He wiped away her tears, Charlotte's eyes fluttering closed then open as she welcomed his touch.

Even a blind person can see how in love they are with one another. I mean the way they looked and interacted with each other- you wouldn't believe they've been apart for as long as they were.

Charlotte shook her head. "No, I don't think you know." She glanced over his shoulder to look at me. I gave her a small smile and a nod, reassuring her that whether the outcome, everything would be okay.

"Know what?" Silas turned his head to look at me as well, before bringing his full attention back to Charlotte. "What's with all the shared looks? Am I missing something?"

Charlotte took in a deep breath and swallowed. "Do you remember when I told you that I had to talk to you about something. You know, right before I caught you cheating?"

He looked down in utter shame, knowing what he did was wrong. "Yeah, I do."

"Well, Ava is yours."

He slowly looked up, his eyes wide from shock. "W-What?" Charlotte nodded. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Seeing Silas break down in tears was a shock. I've known him my whole life and never once has he cried like this.

"Because I was pissed. You really hurt me, Silas."

"I'm sorry, love. I really am. And I know that there is nothing I can say or do for you to forgive me, but I promise to be there for our daughter."

A smile tugged at Charlotte's lips and next thing I know, the two of them are locking lips.

Grossed out, I cleared my throat loud enough for them to realize that I'm still here.

They both turned to look at me. "Don't you have somewhere you need to be?" Charlotte asked, trying to get rid of me.

"I do. But before I go, I need to lay down a new house rule. Do not fuck in my apartment. Ava's not ready to be a big sister."

As soon as Ava's name was mentioned, she came skipping out of the room with Lady tailing behind her. "What does fuck mean?" She asked, looking up at me with those big curious brown eyes.

Damn it.

I'm in trouble now.

Charlotte shot an icy look in my direction and I spewed out an apology, before dashing out of the door.