Chapter 5: Ultimatums and Midnight Drives

After getting in the car, neither of us spoke. The air was tense. The city lights blurred past the window, the silence growing heavier with every mile.

“Um...” I glanced at Carter, who was focused on driving. “Where’s your assistant?”

“Gave him the night off.”

“Aren’t you worried about stalker fans following your car?”

“What’s a stalker fan?”

...

I tried to change the subject.

“How did you become a singer?”

Up ahead, the light turned red. Carter slowed down.

It was one in the morning, the city’s glow still warm. The streets were mostly empty, neon signs flickering in the distance.

“Half a year ago, a company approached me and wanted to sign me.”

Carter stopped at the crosswalk, his left hand on the window, eyes tired.

“So you signed?”

“I bought the company.”

I froze for half a second.

Damn, no wonder he could do whatever he wanted.

On the department store facade ahead, Carter’s huge ad looked coldly beautiful in the streetlights.

“I waited for you in Alaska for a hundred days, searched for you for almost a year.”

Carter’s voice was flat but exhausted. “Since I couldn’t find you, I figured I’d stand in the center of the crowd so you could see me.”

I looked at him. He just stared out at the neon lights.

“Autumn Sullivan, you owe me an explanation.”

I gripped my clothes, took a deep breath.

“Carter, when I met you, I’d just broken up with my ex.”

I looked out the window too. “‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ was the first movie we watched together. We promised to travel to Alaska.”

Carter said nothing, just kept driving.

“At the time, I thought I’d never get married. My dad betrayed my mom, my ex betrayed me.”

I scoffed. “But I still wanted a child.”

I couldn’t help but look at him again. Up close after three years, he seemed colder—hard to approach.

I hesitated, but chose honesty.

“When I met you, I was thinking... could I have a child with you?”

The car fell silent. I pressed my lips together.

Carter sounded even more tired. “But you said you loved me.”

“I wasn’t thinking straight then. Sorry.”

Who would believe words said in that situation?

Carter pulled over and got out of the car.

I hurried after him.

“What are you doing!” I grabbed him. “What if someone recognizes you?”

“Autumn Sullivan! You’re so mean! You... you’re—ugh, I don’t even know the word in English.”

He probably wanted to call me something worse, but his English tripped him up when he was mad.

Carter was on the verge of losing it, even his words stumbling. He nearly cursed, but held back.

He walked too fast. It was hard to keep up in heels. My feet ached, but I kept chasing after him.

Whenever I stopped to catch my breath, he’d pull away again.

He suddenly stopped, turned to me.

“I want the child.”

I was stunned. “You want to fight me for custody?”

“Yes.”

“I paid you!”

“What money?”

Carter narrowed his eyes. “You mean the cash by the bed was...”

My gut told me this was dangerous.

“Two options: either give me the child—”

I cut him off. “No way! What’s the second?”

With his resources, if he fought me for custody, I wouldn’t stand a chance.

“Second option: marry me.”

I took a step back. “Carter, are you crazy?”

Carter was fuming. I couldn’t help but step back again.

Seeing this, he stormed off.

I followed, keeping a safe distance.

Looking around, I was grateful the street was empty.

Otherwise, we’d be trending online tomorrow.

Carter still wasn’t calm, his voice cold. “Get in the car.”

The car was dead silent, the tension almost suffocating.

At my apartment complex, I opened the door. “You go back—I’ll get a taxi.”

“I’ll wait for you.”

Carter was calm now, his tone flat. “I want to see her.”

I looked at him, hesitated.

I couldn’t think of a reason to refuse, so I got out and went inside.

At the door, I heard Lily crying.

My mom yelled as soon as she saw me. “Why are you so late? Look at the time!”

I scooped Lily up. “Something came up.”

I soothed her and took her out, getting in the back seat.

Lily was already asleep.

Carter glanced in the rearview mirror, but said nothing.

At my apartment parking lot, Carter got out, opened the back door, and carried Lily.

Seeing her sleeping soundly on his shoulder, I didn’t stop him.

Carter walked ahead. Looking at his back, I suddenly had the illusion of a family of three. For a moment, I let myself imagine what it might be like—quiet mornings, shared breakfasts, laughter echoing in the halls.

I unlocked the door with my fingerprint. Carter carried Lily in.

“Where does she sleep?”

I changed shoes, stood up, and pointed to the side bedroom.

He carried Lily in.

Crap.

On the way here, I’d been so preoccupied I let him in.

Now he knows my address.

I went to the side bedroom door. Carter had put Lily on the bed and tucked her in.

He gently brushed the hair from her face. The tenderness in that gesture caught me off guard.

My phone rang. I hurried to the living room to answer.

“Hello? Mom, why aren’t you asleep?”

“The hospital called. Your dad’s gone.”

...

I hung up and turned to see Carter standing behind me.

“What’s wrong?”

I opened my mouth, but the words wouldn’t come.

“Nothing.”

I walked past him, went into the bedroom, and turned on the shower.

Suddenly, I remembered how my dad used to take me to fly kites in the park.

My lips trembled. I bit them hard.

I have no father now. Not that he was ever much of one.

After showering, I came out.

Carter was asleep on the sofa.

He must’ve been wiped out—a two-hour concert, then a long drive.

I squatted beside him. He was sound asleep.

Forget it, let him stay here tonight.

I pulled a thin blanket from the closet and covered him.

As I turned, a hand grabbed my wrist.

“What is it?”