From pretence to forever

Chapter 7 : An urgent call.

Tony's pov

That morning was a complete mess, one I would never forget for the rest of my life. Everything seemed like it was getting out of control, and in the midst of the that, I kept asking myself the same question: Why did Joanne do what she did? Why did she say she was exhausted from last night’s shift? What kind of work does she do?

My mind was clouded with confusion as I stood still in the center of my apartment, trying to piece everything together. The silence was short-lived. Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my pocket, and at the very same moment, the baby’s loud, urgent cries made me feel the need to hold him and get him back to sleep.

I rushed over to the crib, gently lifting the tiny little boy in my arms. His soft skin and innocent eyes reminded me of how real everything had suddenly become. With the baby resting in one arm, I grabbed my phone with the other and answered the call—without even checking who it was.

“Hello?” I said, slightly breathless.There was silence on the other end.

Puzzled, I glanced down at the screen immediately and nearly dropped the phone.

Marcus Clarke!

My father!

The CEO of Clarke Group of Companies.

The man I’d been desperately trying to impress. He had heard the baby crying!

My heart skipped a beat. Of all days, why now?

I struggled to speak as fear spilled all over me. Me.. “I... I’m so sorry, Dad. I’m running late for work, but I promise I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Please give me just a little more time.”

But when he answered back, his voice was calm, Warm, and even... proud!

“Don’t worry, son,” he said gently. “I’m actually calling for something else today. I wanted to congratulate you. Your surprise really took us all off guard and I must say, your mother and I are thrilled. A grandson! And what a handsome boy he is. Your photos are all over social media. I wouldn’t believe my eyes when I saw you holding him protectively. I am happy you have realised that you are no longer that useless playboy.”

My chest tightened. Photos? Online? I didn’t even know someone had taken them. So it’s true, the media was around at the hospital as Joanne said.

“Listen Tony, you don’t need to come to the office today,” he continued. “Your mother wants to meet her grandson. Just send us your address. Also...” he paused, a soft chuckle in his voice, “Who’s the lucky lady? I’m impressed, son. You’re becoming more mature and wiser with each passing day.”

I was speechless.

“Dad,” I finally said, trying to hold my emotions in check, “Tell Mom to wait for me at the mansion. I’m heading there right now. And afterward, I’ll pass through the office. We really need to talk.”

He agreed without hesitation. For the first time in years, my father wasn’t calling me a disappointment. For the first time, I heard genuine pride in his voice.

The moment the call ended, I felt like the walls were closing in. I summoned Simon, my driver, and told him to bring my car to the apartment immediately and to make sure he didn’t say a word to my mother.

Because the truth, I was in a deep mess.

A real beautiful, heartbreaking and complicated mess.

You see, I wanted to be the next CEO of Clarke Group. My father had made it painfully clear that if I wanted to inherit the company, I had to prove I was responsible. One of his conditions? I needed to provide an heir.

And just when he was about to hand the company over to my cousin, claiming I was a useless, good for nothing boy this unexpected turn of events happened.

Now, he thought I had a wife, a son-a family.

He believed I’d finally become the man he had always wanted me to be, But here’s the problem.

The baby wasn’t mine.

And Joanne, would she agree to sign a marriage contract? I wasn’t sure if she really would. Many unanswered questions closed my mind as I wondered through the room, holding the baby tightly and talking to myself.

Now, I had to figure out how to fix this mess before everything got out of control. Before my mother showed up at my doorstep. Before my father learned the truth.

Before I lost my only chance to claim both the company and maybe even... love.

As the baby’s cries finally softened in my arms, I turned my head towards the guest room door and it was still closed. I thought the baby’s cries would have woken her up but she seemed to be enjoying her sleep.

I sighed and gently laid the baby back in his crib, brushing a hand over his soft hair. “What am I doing?” I whispered to myself.

Then I heard Simon’s message: he was already downstairs. And yes, he had passed by the lawyer’s office. My instructions had been clear. I needed a marriage contract drafted immediately. Something legal and solid. That could protect us both, or at least help me save face before my father and the world.

I wasn’t even sure Joanne would agree to it, but I had to act.

Everything was moving too fast, and I didn’t have time to wait for the perfect answer. The company, the baby. My father's unexpected approval. I had to play the part... even if my heart wasn’t sure if it was all an act.

I swiftly moved and knocked softly on the guest room door.

“Joanne,” I said quietly. “We really need to talk. Please.”

There was no answer.

“I’m not asking for anything crazy,” I added. “But... I need your help. I know things got complicated. I know you didn’t ask for any of this. But if we can just talk…. just talk, we might find a way through this. Together.”

I waited.

Still there was silence.

Then... the soft click of the lock turning.

The door creaked open, and there she stood hair messy, eyes tired, wearing one of my hoodies and no makeup. But still, she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever laid my eyes on.

“Okay,” she said, voice low and guarded. “Talk.”

She stepped aside, letting me into the guest room. I took a breath and walked in, my eyes searching hers.

Joanne folded her arms, her back leaning slightly against the doorframe.

“You wanted to talk? Talk now.”

I nodded slowly. “Why do you suddenly become so rough? My father called this morning.”

Her brows rose slightly.

“He has seen the photos on social media. The baby, and us.”

She blinked. “What? Photos?”

“Yes Joanne, they’re all over social media.”

"Great! I told you that, but what did you do? You just ignored me," she said quietly, running a hand through her hair.

“He thinks the baby is mine…. mmh..ours. He’s... proud of me. For the first time in years.”

Joanne’s face softened with surprise. “Proud of you?”