Page 83 of Always Been You
“I know.” The admission tastes bitter.
“What do I do?”
“It’s a hard one. She doesn’t trust you now and I wouldn’t if I were in her shoes. This isn’t about love anymore. You have to prove yourself.”
“How?”
“That’s for you to figure out.” He chuckles, a warmth in his voice that I haven’t heard in a while. “I must say, though, you chose well with that one. I liked her the first time she spoke to me. Not many have the guts to stand toe-to-toe with me, and she defended you.”
My grip on the phone tightens. Yes, she defended me. She always did have some blind faith in me, even when I told her I wasn’t the same man she knew. I swallow hard. Maybe I don’t deserve it. Maybe I never did. But if there’s still something left to fight for, I’ll be damned if I don’t fight for her.
“Bring her home if you’re able to convince her to be with you.”
I hear my grandma’s voice in the background. “What is it?” she asks him.
We say our goodbyes because I know Grandpa is in a hurry to fill her in on what’s going on in my life without needing me on the line. That’s the kind of bond they have. It’s the kind where words aren’t always necessary.
And that’s what I want with Lawliss. That, and so much more.
***
Lawliss
Every day, I ignore Eddie’s calls and texts. And every day, something feels... missing.
He still texts me though. If it’s not an apology, then its to tell me what he’s doing. Sometimes it’s little details about his life—a meeting gone wrong or what he cooked. It’s like he’s trying to keep me in it even from a distance. It’s been four days, and somehow, I feel even more lost than when I first found out we are married.
It’s not like I can ignore him forever because we need to have a talk about the child we are having. He still doesn’t know I’m pregnant and I haven’t told him yet. If I don’t tell him now, I will be doing the same thing he did. Lying by omission and I refuse to be caught up in that.
“You okay?”
I glance up as my mom steps into my room. Not knowing where else to go, I came here—home. I’m lucky to have the best parents in the world. They welcomed me without hesitation. The first night, I cried on their shoulders with just one sentence on my lips: ‘Eddie betrayed me’, and that was enough. They comforted me without pressing for details.
I know they want to know more, but they’re giving me space. That’s who they are.
“I’m getting there,” I say, sitting up.
Mom has been soft since I arrived. It’s as if she’s afraid I might break at any moment. Aria always said Mom had a softer side, but we thought she was joking since mom is the stern one, the no-nonsense, tough-love type. She’s not usually one for emotions or long talks. Seeing her like this feels... strange. But I love it. It’s like seeing Dad in Mom’s body.
Mom watches me carefully before speaking. “Don’t you think you should see a doctor?” Her voice is cautious and gentle.
I know I’ve grown paler, weaker, and more exhausted. It’s obvious I’m not okay. But my emotions are the real problem. They’re all over the place. I need to take better care of myself. I have a baby to think about now.
I also need to tell my parents about the pregnancy. It’s amazing my sisters have kept quiet about it for this long.
I shake my head. “I’m really fine, Mom.”
I stand and wrap my arms around her. She sighs, then pulls back just enough to look into my eyes, like she’s searching for the truth.
“That’s all I hope for,” she says, nodding slowly. Then she adds, “As long as all my children are fine and happy, I’m okay. Come on. Tonight’s dinner will have some guests.”
My breath hitches. “Maa…”
“We didn’t invite him,” she says before I can protest.
I don’t know why I feel disappointed. I shouldn’t. But the feeling creeps in before I can push it away. I force a smile and nod.
I hug her again, and she holds me tight as we walk downstairs together. It’s good to be home, surrounded by my family.
