Chapter 20

Ryder's stunned silence hung heavy in the air, leaving me uncertain of how to proceed. Just as I was about to offer reassurance, he spoke up.

“You're pregnant?” he blurted out, his tone a mix of surprise and something else I couldn't quite decipher.

I nodded, but his reaction puzzled me. Why did he seem angry?

“Are you mad?” I asked, hoping to understand his sudden shift in demeanor.

“Yes, I'm angry. You know you're pregnant but you still left the house, why? Did you want to endanger the baby?” His scolding tone grated on my nerves, igniting a flicker of annoyance within me.

“I didn't neglect my condition, Ryder,” I replied, irritated by the implication that I had been careless.

"You were reckless!" he retorted, his frustration evident.

“If you hadn't brought the woman home, it wouldn't have happened!” I shot back, the anger bubbling up inside me as I resisted the urge to lash out.

“You can leave now,” I said, my patience wear