Chapter 316
My brows knit together in a frown.
“I don’t think I can let him,” I admit quietly. “He wanted me to get rid of the baby. He didn’t just suggest it Mom; he demanded it. How am I supposed to get past that? How do you forgive someone for wanting your child dead p>
The words taste bitter in my mouth.
There’s also the fact that he said my baby would never compare to Nolan and Nova. That’s something you can’t just forget because if I let him back into my child’s life, there will always be a voice in the back of my mind asking the same question; Will my baby ever be loved the same way? Or will he always come second?
Mom watches me quietly for a moment before speaking again. “You know I’m proud of you, right p>
I blink at her.
“So many women stay with terrible men for the sake of their children,” she continues softly. “Even when the relationship slowly destroys them, but you’re choosing something different. You’re choosing to walk away instead of pretending everything is fine p>
Her smile trembles slightly, tears glistening in her eyes.
“I’m so proud of you for that p>
“Mom p>
She sniffles and laughs weakly.
“I was worried,” she admits. “I was afraid that if Noah came back apologizing, you’d take him back after everything he put you through, but I’m glad to see you’re not putting up with his bullshit anymore p>
A small chuckle escapes me. “That’s Aunt Ava’s son you’re talking about p>
“Yes,” she says bluntly. “And we both know he’s still an asshole p>
“Can’t argue with that,” I say with a faint smile.
We sit there for a while longer, holding each other, letting the quiet settle around us as we soak in the warmth of the moment.
Eventually Mom pulls back slightly.
“Are you staying over?” she asks.
I shake my head. “As much as I’d love to, after the day I’ve had, I just want to sleep in my own bed and cuddle with Blackie p>
She nods slowly. “Then let me drive you home p>
“Mom, it’s okay. I can drive myself p>
“But p>
“No buts,” I cut in gently. Then I pause. “Do you need help cleaning up? I could stay a little longer and help before I leave p>
It’s already past eight, and the last thing I want is for her to clean everything by herself after today.
“It’s alright,” she assures me. “The catering team I hired will come by in the morning to handle everything p>
I nod, pushing myself to my feet and yawning. “Okay… I should probably go then p>
She walks me out to my car and pulls me into another hug.
“Thank you, Mom,” I whisper. “For being there… for the party… and for defending me p>
She squeezes me tightly. “I will always defend you. No one gets to bully my daughter while I’m still breathing and if that means losing my friendship with Ava… then so be it p>
My eyes sting with tears. Honestly, nothing in this world compares to a mother’s love and I’m so damn grateful she’ll always have my back.
“Alright, go,” she says, pulling away and giving me a small push toward the car. “You look exhausted p>
I wave at her before getting in and pulling out of the driveway.
The drive home is quiet and by the time I step into my house, it feels like the walls are closing in around me.
Maybe this is what they mean by a delayed reaction or maybe I just needed to be alone before everything finally broke.
My throat tightens painfully, and suddenly it feels impossible to pull air into my lungs.
Blackie meows somewhere in the house, but the sound feels distant. Like I’m hearing it from underwater.
I take shallow breaths, trying to push down everything threatening to overwhelm me… The case, jocelyn, Noah’s confession, the truth and Aunt Ava’s explosive reaction, but it feels too much.
My fingers clutch the edge of the couch, nails digging into the fabric as I struggle to breathe.
Just when I feel like I’m about to lose the fight, the doorbell rings.
The sharp sound cuts through the fog in my head like a beacon in the dark. I cling to it, focusing on the ringing until the pounding in my ears slowly fades and my vision begins to clear.
The bell rings again and slowly, like my feet are weighed down with lead, I make my way to the door and pull it open.
His back is turned to me, like he was just about to leave, but he turns when he hears the door open.
The moment I see him, everything I’ve been holding back finally crashes over me and before I can stop myself, I throw my arms around him, finally allowing the floodgates to break.