Baby Daddy Roulette

Chapter 24

[Selene’s POV]

I don't sleep. By five AM I'm stress-organizing my closet, which Naomi witnesses with horror.

"You're doing the thing again," she says from my doorway, Sören on her hip.

"I'm being productive."

"You're having a crisis with hangers. When's the meeting?"

"Nine." I pull out the sharpest blazer—navy, tailored, shoulders that say I dare you to question my competence. Pair it with killer heels and the severe bun. Full armor.

Naomi nods approvingly. "There she is. Dr. Marlowe reporting for duty."

"I just need to not throw up before I get there."

"Very achievable goal. Shoot for the stars."

The Sirens facility is quiet at eight forty-five AM. The conference room is empty when I arrive. I claim the power position—back to window, laptop ready.

My phone buzzes. Text from Mateo: on our way. axel made me wear a tie. i look like i'm going to court

S. Marlowe: You kind of are.

M. Velasco: extremely comforting thank you

Five minutes later, they arrive in suits. Axel's charcoal gray and intimidating. Mateo's navy with a crooked tie, somehow making "disheveled corporate" work.

Diane and Gerald arrive moments later, stopping when they see all three of us.

"Dr. Marlowe," Diane says carefully, tablet already out like she's documenting evidence. "Mr. Nielsen. Mr. Velasco. This is... unexpected."

"We wanted to discuss the situation together," I say, professional voice activated. "We've drafted a statement addressing the photos. We'd like to release it today."

I slide my phone across the table.

Diane reads it. Gerald leans over. I watch for reactions.

The statement is surgical:

Dr. Selene Marlowe, Axel Nielsen, and Mateo Velasco would like to address recent speculation regarding photographs taken without consent. Dr. Marlowe, Nielsen, and Velasco are friends from Dr. Marlowe's previous position with the Philadelphia Ravens who have reconnected professionally in Seattle. Dr. Marlowe's children are her private family matter and not subject to public discussion or speculation. We ask for privacy and respect as we focus on our professional responsibilities with the Seattle Sirens. Further questions will not be answered. Thank you for your understanding.

"You want to release a statement," Diane says slowly, like I've suggested something radical. "Yesterday you refused."

"Yesterday I was reacting," I tell her, keeping my voice steady. "Today I'm choosing. There's a difference."

"But wouldn't it be better to say nothing? Let this die naturally?" Gerald sounds genuinely confused, like silence is the obvious solution.

"It's not dying." Axel's voice cuts in, quiet but absolute. "The photos are still circulating. People are still digging. Speculation's getting worse, not better."

"Every day there are new rumors," I add. "New invasive questions. Betting pools about my children's paternity like they're entertainment."

Mateo leans forward. "As players, we're used to media attention. It's part of the job. But Dr. Marlowe and her kids shouldn't suffer because someone with a camera invaded their privacy while we bought groceries."

The solidarity lands. Diane's expression shifts.

"This draws a clear boundary," I continue. "It gives the public enough without feeding the gossip machine. We're not apologizing—we didn't do anything wrong."

Diane reads the statement again, slower this time. "It's well-crafted. Direct. Doesn't give them anything to pick apart."

"That's the point."

"But once it's out, you can't take it back."

"I know," I say, and I do. "That's why it needs to be our statement. Our words. Our narrative."

Gerald looks at all three of us—really looks, like he's seeing something he didn't expect. "You're all in agreement on this?"

"Completely," Axel says.

"Cien por ciento—" Mateo catches himself. "One hundred percent. We're doing this together."

Diane sets down her tablet. "I'll need to make some minor edits. Legal review. But if we move fast, we can have it out by three PM today."

"Perfect," I say, even though my stomach's doing gymnastics. "That works."

The next thirty minutes are negotiation—word changes, phrasing adjustments, legal review. The core remains intact.

Finally, Diane nods. "We have approval. Three PM on official channels and your personal social media."

"All three of us post it?" Mateo asks.

"Simultaneously. Shows unity."

We leave the conference room. The relief is physical. I can breathe. For the first time in four days, I can actually breathe.

"That was incredible." Mateo's grinning at me with undisguised admiration. "You just took control of the entire situation. Like a corporate ninja. Very impressive."

"You're terrifying in the best way," Axel adds quietly, something warm in his ice-blue eyes.

I allow myself a small smile. "I had help. We did that together."

Then nerves hit—what happens when the statement goes live?

"Naomi's been watching the babies all morning," I hear myself say. "She has a shift at three. I need to get home to relieve her."

They nod, checking schedules, and the words come out before I think them through.

"Do you want to come? To my place? When the statement posts?"

They freeze—Mateo mid-scroll, Axel mid-text.

"We can be there when it goes live. Face the reaction together. And honestly, I don't want to be alone for this."

"Yes," Axel says. Simple. Definitive.

Mateo's already texting. "I'm clearing my afternoon. My agent can wait."

"You're sure?"

"Completely sure," Mateo says. "We're doing this together, remember? That includes the scary parts."

"Especially the scary parts," Axel adds.

Something in my chest loosens.

Four hours until we find out if taking control was brilliant or catastrophic.

"Two-thirty," I tell them, texting my address. "Come over around two-thirty. Fair warning—it's chaos."

"We can handle chaos," Mateo says confidently.

"Famous last words," I mutter, smiling despite myself.

We walk out together—united front, battle-ready, slightly terrified but moving forward.

Progress doesn't have to feel certain.

Sometimes it just feels like three people who decided facing disaster together beats hiding alone.

And for now, that's enough.