Begin Again novel Chapter 43

His question was so unexpected for a mindblowing nanosecond Eden didn't know what to say or how to react as her mind raced in a million directions.

—This is her chance to come clean, tell him about Aiden and offer him visitation on weekends. She won't ask for anything from him, only that he doesn't upset the nice life she's built for herself and their son. And she's more than happy to leave his name out of the birth certificate if that's what he wants—

"I guess he's not," Liam carried on cooly, not allowing her a moment to process his question, let alone give him an answer. "I mean with your track record, who knows how many other men you've been with since that night."

Eden didn't know why she was shocked, she shouldn't even be hurt by his words, considering their showdown just days ago and how savage he was.

But she was hurt.

And she was shocked.

This time, though, his words didn't have the power to render her speechless and send her running to her little bungalow.

No, this time, he drove her over the cliff.

White-hot fury pulsing through her veins, her voice shaking with anger, Eden warned him softly. "Don't! Don't make assumptions about my life. You are allowed to hate me for whatever reason. But what you are not allowed to do is to make up assumptions to suit your narrative. You know nothing about my sex life, so don't you ever make such an insinuation or bring it up in conversation again."

"Ms McBride!" Nostrils flared, eyes dark with fury, Liam barked at her. "How dare you speak to me in that tone! I'm your boss!"

Eden knew she should probably walk away if she still wanted her ridiculously insane salary, but she was incensed at his arrogance and self-righteous attitude.

She jabbed him on his chest with her finger a couple of times, startling him out of his head. The coffee she'd made for him with love, brimmed over and trickled through his fingers, scalding his hand. "No, Mr Anderson, being my boss, does not give you the right to make unfounded claims about me. And if you were speaking to me in your capacity as my boss, your question should never have even come up. So, don't you ever pull the boss card on me! And no, he's not your son. Thank heavens for that!"

"Very well, Ms McBride, thank you for freeing me. You have no idea how the very thought of being permanently tied to you terrified me!" Liam sneered as he dumped the cup and saucer on the counter and grabbed a wad of paper towels. "If there's nothing else, I suggest you return to work."

She really should have just kept her mouth shut and kept it in like her parents had taught her. She's an educated person; what had possessed her to use her hands, especially on Liam of all people?

She's truly lost her mind.

"Ugh!" Eden buried her face in her hands, wishing she could undo their fight. Now, because of her poor impulse control, she'd wasted a chance to tell him about Aiden.

Still fretting about the looming warning from HR for daring to touch the big boss, Eden didn't look up when she heard Liam head to his office and slam the door shut, or when he snapped the blinds in place, blocking her view of him, making his feelings for her known, loud and clear.

If he didn't need her for whatever mystery condition he has, she wouldn't even have the privilege of sitting in this chair.

That's how much her very presence annoyed him.