David's Pov

I had no memory of the moments that followed last night. All I knew was that the next morning, after nearly putting my fist through my bathroom wall due to the unpleasant memories of my past that revisited me, I found myself in my family estate, storming in through the front door unannounced.

The service maid currently setting the breakfast table jumped, startled by my appearance. "Good morning Mr-"

"Where's my mother?" I demanded, cutting her stream of words short.

Her brows furrowed, no doubt noticing the look of pure fury on my face. "Sir, um, she's-"

"Fucking answer me straight!" I snapped rather too harshly and you might want to excuse my manners today because I was pissed. I mean, I should've been home in my safe place, on top, beside, and inside my wife but I was here instead because we weren't on good terms and there was only one person to blame for this.

"David?"

Speak of the devil.

Mother walked out of the chicken, holding a pack of strawberries and syrup. "What a pleasant surprise." She chimed, handing the ingredients over to the service made who scurried into the kitchen. "You're just in time. I was making breakfast because it seems the cooks can't do anything right." She narrowed her eyes, making her way to me and I swear to God I tried not to be pissed but seeing that careless look on her face like she wasn't the one who made me fight with my wife and go to sleep with a boner made me want to-I didn't even know what I wanted to do.

"I don't want breakfast." I bit. "I did not come here for that."

"What's the matter?" A frown line marred her aged face. "You look bothered." Her brows creased together. "Why do you have so many eye bags, haven't you been sleeping well?" She reached to touch my face. "Is that Dawn girl stressing you?"

"No, she's not." I moved her hands away as gently as I could considering I was boiling with pent-up rage. "What in God's name did you say to her at the function last night?"

She stopped as if she were taken aback by my question but then after a second, she narrowed her eyes. "Don't tell me you came all the way here because of that."

"That is exactly why I came and I demand answers. Did you or did you not bring up the baby idea?"

With a dramatic sigh leaving her lips, she nodded. "Well, I did."

Something pricked at my skin. Something I couldn't quite understand. Anger, annoyance, irritation. "Why the hell would you do that!" I snapped.

"David," she exhaled, shaking her head. "You're the only child of your father and he needs grandchildren. Dawn is the least type of girl I would've wanted for you but you picked her, right? If she is going to stay she might as well bear forth children."

I dug my fingernails into my palms as I forced my words out through clenched teeth. "You of all people know the circumstances surrounding the reasons why she cannot carry my child. It's the same reason my mother died, the same reason why Stacey left, and the same reason why you never bothered to have any children of your own."

"Don't you think you're being a little one-sided here? I only did what any concerned mother would do."

"If you were really concerned, you wouldn't put my wife's life in danger. Don't you get it? I love her with everything I stand for, why can't you just respect that?"

The look in her eyes wavered. Honestly, sometimes I didn't understand this woman.

"David listen-" she attempted to hold me again but I inched away, not at all interested in whatever she had to say. "I refuse to risk Dawn's life, she's more precious to me, and If my happiness means anything to you at all then don't fucking let this happen again or you'll have me to contend and next time I won't be so subtle with my words."

Her brows cocked up as she took on an affronted look. "Are you threatening me?"

"Take it however you wish."

"I'm sorry David, I might have gone a little overboard, but how do you expect me to feel? the house is so lonely and your father barely has time for me anymore."

"If you are so desperate for a child then have one yourself and do not force it on my wife, damnit!"

She squared her shoulders at me. "How dare you speak to your mother in that-"

"What's all the commotion about?"

Father.

I immediately unclenched my fist and pivoted to bow slightly. "It's nothing father." I croaked. "Mother and I were just having a bit of a conversation."

When I raised my head and met his gaze, he accessed me shrewdly. He didn't look convinced. "Is this something I should be worried about?" He glanced between both of us, no doubt noticing the egregious tension brewing.

"It's nothing, honey," Mother finally spoke with a tight smile. "David here is just a little stressed, that's all."

"I'll take my leave now," I announced, too annoyed to continue family time.

"Why don't you stay for breakfast?" Father insisted but I shook my head.

"I'm sorry, but I have something important to attend to at the office."

"Alright then." He tapped my back. "My regards to your wife."

Dawn's Pov

We didn't speak to each other that morning. He hadn't eaten breakfast either. He was out of the house, not even bothering to check up on me and I had to drag my sorry self to work while pretending I didn't cry my eyes out almost all night.

"What's with the sunglasses?" Becky asked me as she leaned over my desk and handed me a cup of Starbucks.

I took a sip and sighed. "I have eye bags."

"That's weird." She studied my face, inching closer but then she relented and settled behind her desk.

For the next uneventful hours, I moped around, dragging. And I realized I'd spent more time checking my phone than actually working.

I was having mixed feelings right now. I wanted to check up on him but at the same time, I didn't.

After my lunch break, I found myself playing with my diamond band while staring at his caller ID, eager to press the call button but at the same time, not wanting to seem easy.

Had he eaten?

Was he having a bad day?

Ugh. I slouched on my chair and rubbed my temples. No, I couldn't do this. He was the offender, not me. I only wanted answers. I did nothing wrong.

Frustrated, I locked my phone and set it aside.

"If you miss him that much you could just call, you know," Becky chimed in but I was too weary-boned to spare her a glance.

"It's not that easy," I mumbled, closing my eyes and trying to put my nerves in order. "I can't just call him, he'll think I'm an easy fix."

"See, this is why I don't do commitments, it's always so messy and full of different bloody emotions."

I groaned, feeling a headache coming on. "I just need a break."

That's right, I needed to clear my head and stop overthinking this. He might have been right when he'd said he didn't want kids now but I couldn't get past the feeling that he was keeping something from me.

"Well if you really need one, we could unwind with a few drinks at the bar tonight."

I opened one eye and turned to look at Becky.

She shrugged, spinning on her office chair. "I need a wing woman and you need to clear your head. I'm game if you are."

I sighed. "I don't know." I wasn't sure I should. Two reasons, my alcohol tolerance only got me past four shots and then I was a mess of lowered inhibitions. Two. The only bars I'd ever gone to were the ones David took me to. It would upset him.

"You don't have to if you don't want to." Becky shrugged again. "But sitting here sulking like a bag of gummy bears isn't going to get you anywhere."

"You know what, you're probably right." I reasoned.

"I'm always right." She winked.