The Ties That Bind Us: (The Ties Duet Part One) Danda K. (dark academia books to read TXT) 📖

worried as he approaches me, but I’m already heading out the door. I’ll apologize to him later. As I sprint down the street, the air is freezing, making it hard to breathe, but I push through and don’t stop until the tingles set in from my legs almost giving out.

My nose feels frozen, but all I’m concerned about is Cam. What if she’s gone? What if she ran out at the sight of my ex and thinks I cheated on her? God, I would never fucking do that.

My chest physically hurts, and I don’t know if it’s from the cold or the fear that she may be trying to leave. Again.  

I approach the backyard. It’s eerily quiet, and I don’t know if that’s a good or bad sign. Maybe the bitch didn’t show up, or maybe it’s because they both already left.

I take a deep breath and hope to whoever’s above us that Cameron’s still in our house and that Gelissa was just playing games to try and manipulate me into answering her calls.

I look around the backyard, and everything looks to be in place. The only thing missing is some firewood, and there’s a small trail of sticks on the ground leading towards the door to our home.

I stand in front of the solid white barrier between me and the truth, placing my hands on the knob and leaning my forehead against the cold surface. I close my eyes as tight as I can, out of breath and feeling the palpitations of my heart all the way through my grey hoodie. I try to gather the strength to face what’s on the other side.

I just want my girl.

I just want to grab her and hug her and kiss her and love her. I just want her home.

I slowly open the door, holding my breath as I walk into the foyer. I see the fireplace is still going, which is a good sign. I know Cam would never leave the house with the fireplace on and risk Sam’s safety. It’s so quiet I can hear the dripping of the pipes in the walls.

As I walk towards the kitchen, Magnet’s sitting in the hallway, hissing at something inside it. As I reach the corner of the wall, I spot the back of Nyx’s head sitting at the table.

Immediately feeling relieved, I step inside to find the crimson witch sitting across from her, looking around the kitchen with a judgmental glare.

That doesn’t shock me. She was always the type to look down on anyone whose pockets weren’t hefty, didn’t drive luxury cars, or have their own apartments.

No, what shocks me is what’s sitting in her lap, wrapped in a pink snowsuit and a white winter hat.

A fucking baby.

Thirty-four

Jaxon

Gelissa has a fucking baby. A baby.

A tiny human that needs constant care and affection. I can’t tell her age under all the fluff she has on, but I’d say maybe a year and a half if I had to guess.

My eyes widen as I do the numbers in my head. Cameron is still not speaking a word. Gelissa’s chewing on gum, staring at me with a pointed brow as I try my hardest to solve the most important math equation of my life.

She rolls her eyes and pops her gum. “I’ll save you the trouble Jaxon, she’s yours.” She sucks her teeth as she adjusts the baby in her lap.

My eyebrows furrow as I shake my head. “That’s impossible. I’ve been gone almost two and a half years.”

“Yes, and she’ll be two at the end of March.” She tilts her head, a wicked grin shaping her face. “Maybe you forgot that night before your last fight, in Morgan’s shower. You had me up against the wall--”

Panicking, I interrupt her nauseating recollection from our past. “That’s enough. You made your point.” I glance over to Cameron, who’s tensed up in her chair, arms folded in front of her.

Gelissa shrugs, tossing one side of her red hair behind her shoulder.

“Why the hell am I just finding out about her now?” I point to the baby that’s apparently mine and whose name I don’t even know.

“Her name is Emersyn. And maybe I just realized it now. She does look a lot like you, though.”

I shake my head in disgust at the vermin in front of me. The one holding an innocent child. If Emersyn is mine, Gelissa damn well knew it this whole time.

My guess? Roland finally realized it and gave ’em both the boot. I can’t tell much about Emersyn’s features under all the bulk, but I can spot the sea-blue eyes. My eyes. And Roland not only has brown eyes, but he’s also Afro-Latino. Pretty sure a child of Roland’s would have some darker features.

I still don’t trust her. Who’s to say she didn’t fuck some other poor sap and have his baby?

“I’m gonna need a paternity test before I make any type of opinion myself.”

Cameron turns and looks at me, and I can’t tell if she pities me or thinks I’m crazy for questioning the resemblance.

Gelissa waves me off. “Do what you gotta do, Jaxon. As long as you step up and take care of your child like a real man should.”

I bark out a laugh. This girl really is something else. She hides my child from me for almost two years, and then questions my ability to take responsibility for her? If I’d have known she was pregnant with my kid, I never would have left so quickly.

I would have left her, yes, but I would’ve done whatever it took to make sure my baby was cared for and loved by me. Even if it meant settling down somewhere closer to her.

“Are you really questioning my motives right now? You showed up at our home, claiming this baby is mine with no proof whatsoever.” I point an accusing finger at her, my voice getting gradually louder. “Did you conveniently forget how you and Roland tried to fuck me over? That you both almost killed me?” I’m full-on yelling now. “And you’re pointing fingers at me?!” I’m