My Baby Daddy Isn’t Human

The quiet of the evening settled over the grand estate like a thick, suffocating blanket. The sky outside the towering windows had darkened completely, and the faint glow of the moon cast pale streaks of silver through the glass. Raelynn sat curled up on the velvet chaise in her bedroom, her arms hugging her knees close to her chest. The dim light from the bedside lamp gave the room a soft, golden hue, but it did little to ease the frustration stirring inside her.

She had been feeling uneasy for days now. Something had been gnawing at her, a whisper at the back of her mind that she had tried to ignore. But now, sitting here alone, it was impossible to pretend that everything was fine. Elion had been distant. More than distant—he had practically disappeared.

At first, she hadn't thought much of it. He was busy, she had told herself. He was always busy. But as time passed, she started to realize something strange. It wasn't just that he was busy—it was that she never even caught a glimpse of him. Not once.

Raelynn clenched her jaw, her fingers digging into the fabric of her nightgown. If he was really coming home every night, as Hera claimed, then how was it that she never saw him? Not even in passing? It was almost as if… as if he wasn't here at all.

A knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts.

"Come in," she said, her voice quieter than she intended.

The door opened, and Hera stepped inside. Her expression was uneasy, and she hesitated for a moment before fully entering the room. She looked as if she had something to say but wasn't sure how to start.

Raelynn sighed and sat up properly. "You don't have to look like that," she muttered. "Just say whatever you need to say."

Hera fidgeted, her hands wringing together in front of her. "I… I wanted to apologize," she said finally.

Raelynn blinked. "For what?"

"For lying to you." Hera's shoulders hunched slightly, and she let out a nervous breath. "Mr. Vaelorian… he told me to tell you that he was coming home late every night. But the truth is… he hasn't been home at all. He left on a trip a few days ago."

She exhaled sharply while Hera continued hesitantly. "He said he would only be gone for a day, but he hasn't come back yet. I don't know why."

Raelynn slowly leaned back against the couch, her arms folding tightly across her chest. "So, he's not even going to the office?" she asked, her voice devoid of emotion.

Hera shook her head. "No. As far as I know, he hasn't finished whatever business he left for."

Raelynn let out a humorless chuckle. "Unbelievable."

Hera flinched. "Raelynn, I really am sorry. I didn't want to lie to you, but—"

"I know," Raelynn interrupted. She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "I'm not mad at you, Hera."

Hera's eyes widened slightly. "You're not?"

"No." Raelynn gave her a tired look. "I just don't understand. If he had to leave for something important, he could've just told me. Why go through the trouble of making you lie to me? What was the point?"

She shook her head in frustration, staring down at the carpet beneath her feet.

Hera bit her lip, looking uncertain. "Maybe… maybe he didn't want you to worry?"

Raelynn scoffed. "That's stupid."

Hera hesitated, then slowly nodded. "Yes… I suppose it is."

A heavy silence filled the room, stretching between them.

Raelynn took a deep breath and forced herself to shake off the irritation bubbling inside her. There was no use dwelling on it right now.

She looked back up at Hera, who was still standing there with an apologetic expression. "You should get some rest," Raelynn said finally. "It's late."

Hera studied her carefully before nodding. "Alright. Goodnight, Raelynn."

Raelynn only hummed in response, waiting until Hera left before slumping back against the couch with a long exhale.

She tilted her head back, staring at the ceiling. Her mind was still racing.

Elion had been lying to her.

Well, technically, he had made Hera lie to her.

Either way, the result was the same.

What was he doing out there that he didn't want her to know about?

Her fingers curled into the fabric of her nightgown, frustration settling deep in her chest. Was he handling something dangerous? Was he in trouble? Or was he just… avoiding her?

Raelynn shook her head quickly, annoyed at the way her mind kept running in circles.

It didn't matter.

She didn't care.

Even if he was off spending the night with some other woman—

She froze, her own thoughts catching her off guard.

What?

Her lips parted slightly as if she couldn't believe she had just thought that.

She gritted her teeth, shaking her head violently as if that would make the idea disappear.

Where the hell did that come from?

She had no reason to think that.

And yet…

She exhaled sharply, gripping the cushion beside her.

This was stupid.

She was being stupid.

It was just the frustration talking. She didn't actually think Elion was off with someone else. That would be ridiculous.

And even if he was—

Her fingers tightened around the cushion.

Even if he was, it wasn't like she would care.

Right?

Raelynn let out a deep breath and squeezed her eyes shut.

She needed to sleep.

All these thoughts were making her head hurt.

With an irritated groan, she pushed herself up from the couch and crawled onto the massive bed. She yanked the blankets over herself, turning to her side and burying her face in the pillow.

But sleep didn't come as quickly as she hoped.

Even as exhaustion pulled at her body, her mind refused to rest.

The image of Elion lingered in her thoughts, mixing with frustration, confusion, and emotions she wasn't quite ready to acknowledge.

Eventually, after what felt like forever, her breathing slowed.

Her body relaxed.

And finally—mercifully—she drifted into sleep.

Still frowning.