Ex-Husband's Regret (Ava and Rowan) novel Chapter 573

Aunt Ava nods knowingly. “That’s what motherhood does. I was scared out of my mind when I found out I was pregnant with Noah, but you realize there’s someone depending on you completely. You pull your big girl panties on and do what it takes.”

Her words sink deep, warm and steadying. I’d do anything for this baby—including telling Noah to go straight to hell.

“Thank you, Aunties,” I say thickly, fighting tears.

They respond with a chorus of “Awws” before pulling me into a group hug.

The conversation drifts from my appointment to baby advice, and I find myself watching my aunties with fresh eyes. They’re all so accomplished, running companies, managing charities, and somehow still finding time to babysit, gossip, and occasionally argue over the best cheesecake in town.

It’s mid-sentence, while Aunt Corrine is explaining the importance of being a present mother, that Lilly’s eyes go wide like she’s just solved the meaning of life. She sits forward so fast her juice nearly spills.

“I knew it!” she blurts out. “It’s your company, isn’t it? The one that makes those… those amazing—” she glances at me, then at the aunties “—adult products. It has to be. I mean, think about it. Ambitious, fearless women who have high standards and dominate their industries? Obviously, you’d dominate that industry too.”

She looks so smugly triumphant, like she’s cracked a cold case.

Everyone looks at her.

Aunt Harper raises an eyebrow. “And how exactly do you know which ones are the ‘best,’ sweetheart?”

The color drains from Lilly’s face, and she stammers, “I… uh… read the reviews?”

I have to bite my lip to stop from laughing because I know exactly why she knows, and it has nothing to do with reading reviews. The mental image is almost too much, and my shoulders shake as I try not to lose it completely.

Aunt Letty smirks. “Oh, please. We all know why she knows.”

Lilly glares at her, muttering under her breath, “I just didn’t know the ones I’ve been using were owned by my mother and aunties.”

“Deal,” I reply, my heart feeling warm

As they leave, Aunt Ava pulls me aside, “Sierra, are you sure we don’t know who the father is?”

Her gaze is steady, searching. I can see her mind turning, piecing together things I don’t want pieced together.

My heart is pounding, but I have to keep it cool. I can't give anything away.

I meet her eyes and steadily reply, “Yes.”

She sighs, but I catch the flicker of doubt in her eyes. She’s suspicious, and I know that once Aunt Ava gets an idea in her head, she’ll dig until she’s holding the truth in her hands.