Updated Mar 22, 2026 • ~3 min read
Chapter 14: Emmett Discovers
EMMETT
My brother is in love.
It’s obvious.
The way he smiles at his phone.
The way he leaves early.
The way he’s… softer.
And he told me about Maren.
About the baby.
But I didn’t realize how deep it went.
Until I see them together.
***
I’m at a coffee shop near Jasper’s apartment.
Early morning meeting.
And I see them.
Jasper and Maren.
Walking down the street.
Her hand in his.
His other hand on her stomach.
Which is… visibly pregnant.
They’re laughing.
Happy.
Completely absorbed in each other.
Like a normal couple.
Except they’re not normal.
They’re Ross and King.
And if anyone sees them—
I should look away.
Pretend I didn’t see.
But I can’t stop watching.
Because I’ve never seen my brother like this.
So open. So vulnerable. So… in love.
He kisses her.
Right there on the sidewalk.
Public. Visible.
Dangerous.
Then they separate.
She goes one direction.
He goes another.
Playing it safe.
But it’s too late.
I saw them.
And if I saw them…
Someone else could too.
***
I meet Jasper at his apartment that night.
“We need to talk.”
“About?”
“I saw you. With Maren. This morning.”
His face goes pale.
“Where?”
“Coffee shop on Fifth. You were walking together. Holding hands. Kissing.”
He runs a hand through his hair.
“Shit.”
“Yeah. Shit.”
“Did anyone else see?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. You weren’t exactly subtle.”
Jasper sits heavily.
“We’re running out of time.”
“You need to tell your families. Before someone else does.”
“We’re planning to. After—”
“After what? There’s no perfect time, Jasper. You’re having a baby with a Ross. The longer you wait, the worse it gets.”
He knows I’m right.
“Conrad is already suspicious. He knows she’s pregnant. Maren told me last night.”
“Does he know you’re the father?”
“Not yet. But he’s investigating. It’s only a matter of time.”
I lean forward.
“Then beat him to it. Tell him first. Control the narrative.”
“He’ll lose his mind.”
“He’ll lose his mind either way. At least this way, you’re honest.”
Jasper is quiet.
Thinking.
“What if he tries to take the baby? Use it against us?”
“He won’t. He’s her uncle. He loves her. He’ll come around.”
“You don’t know that.”
“No. But I know hiding will only make it worse.”
Long silence.
“Okay. We’ll tell them. This weekend. Both families. Together.”
Good.
“And Jasper?”
“Yeah?”
“For what it’s worth? I like her. Maren. She’s good for you.”
He smiles.
Small. Grateful.
“She is.”
“Just… be prepared. This is going to explode.”
Yeah.
It is.
END OF CHAPTER 14
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