Christy’s POV
The house felt too quiet for the storm in my chest, my emotions have been all over the place lately, I don’t know if it was the pregnancy hormone or sothing.
I sat on the edge of the couch, hands clenched so tightly on my lap that my nails dug half-moons into my palms.
The television was on but muted, the screen flickering with moving figures I couldn’t focus on. I had been staring at it for almost an hour, trying to summon up the courage I didn’t have.
I have never been a weak person, so I really couldn’t explain the nervousness that I am feeling.
Kendrick.
The na itself made more nervous. My heart had carried him for so long that even now, after all the pain, after all the betrayals and the humiliation, it still beat out of rhythm whenever I thought about him.
I should hate him after everything and yet...
"Christy."
My head jerked up at the sound of Mason’s voice.
He stood by the doorway, one hand braced against the fra, his face was a mixture of concern and sternness he always wore when it ca to .
I tried to smile, but it faltered.
"I don’t think I can do this," I whispered, my throat tightening.
Mason stepped inside, his footsteps steady as he ca to sit beside .
His hand landed on mine, prying my fingers open before I hurt myself.
His warmth seeped through my skin, and I felt better.
"You can," he said firmly.
"You have to, because you can’t keep running from him, Christy. Not when so much is at stake and definitely not when Kelvin’s future depends on this." he added.
At the ntion of Kelvin’s na, my chest squeezed.
Kelvin, who is now locked up in that cold cell for a cri he didn’t commit. My throat tightened as I nodded slowly.
"You don’t have to face him alone, I will be with you." he said with a comforting smile.
Tears stung my eyes, but I blinked them back. Mason always had a way of steadying when I am about to break apart.
"Will he hate for lying about the baby and my mory? ," I whispered.
"No," Mason corrected sharply, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
"He doesn’t. If he did, he wouldn’t keep looking for you, wouldn’t keep asking about you. I have never seen him care about soone this much before." he continued with a comforting tone.
I shook my head, because I didn’t want to admit how badly I wanted to believe him.
Mason squeezed my hand once more and then stood up.
"It’s settled then, I already called him. He has agreed to et and I chose the place myself, sowhere private and neutral. Kendrick’s already on his way there." he inford .
My stomach lurched violently.
"You what?" I asked him.
"I set it up," Mason said simply.
"You’ll thank later. Co on, before you change your mind." he added.
I wanted to scream at him, tell him it wasn’t fair to push like this.
But deep down, I knew he was right. If left alone, I would never face Kendrick. Never face the ss my life has beco.
So I swallowed the fear that clawed at my throat and stood up with my slightly trembling legs.
The ride to the restaurant was painfully silent. I stared out the window, watching the city blur past in streaks of light and shadow.
Mason didn’t push to talk, he just drove with that calm, steady presence of his, as if his silence was its own reassurance.
By the ti we pulled into the secluded parking lot, my palms were damp with sweat. Mason glanced at once, then reached over and squeezed my shoulder.
"You have got this," he said simply.
I wanted to laugh at the absurdity of those words.
I have got nothing... I don’t even know what to do or say when I et him.
The restaurant was quiet, the kind of place where secrets were exchanged over wine and whispered behind closed doors.
Mason led through the corridors until we reached a private room at the far end. My heart was slamming against my ribs so hard I thought I might faint.
And then I saw him.
Kendrick.
He was already standing when we entered, his tall fra commanding but I noticed that he seed to have lost so weight.
His eyes, those piercing eyes I had tried so hard to forget, locked onto mine the second the door opened.
For a mont, the world narrowed down to just him and .
Then he crossed the room in three long strides and before I could react, his arms were around .
I froze and my body stiffened but I didn’t push him away.
I don’t know why.
His scent, that familiar musk, wrapped around , stirring mories I had buried. His embrace was strong.
I let myself sink into it, it’s sothing that I have been secretly craving.
Then Mason cleared his throat loudly.
Kendrick’s arms loosened, and he stepped back reluctantly, though his eyes never left mine.
"You shouldn’t have... " I began, my voice shaky, but Kendrick cut off, his gaze sliding to Mason.
"I need to speak with Christy alone." His tone left no room for negotiation.
Mason’s eyes narrowed, for a second, I thought he would refuse. Then, with a sigh, he squeezed my shoulder.
"I’ll be right outside," he said, giving one last look before he left, shutting the door behind him.
Suddenly, the air between us felt too heavy.
I turned away, crossing my arms like a shield. "I don’t know why I agreed to this," I muttered.
"To see ," Kendrick answered softly, stepping closer.
I refused to look at him.
"I don’t want to talk about us, I’m only here for Kelvin. Help him get out of prison, That’s all I ask and after that, we never have to see each other again." I said while avoiding his eyes.
"Christy..." His voice was low and rough, carrying a weight that made my chest ache.
"Is that really all you care about? Not yourself? Not our baby?" he asked .
My arms tightened around , as a lump rose in my throat.
"Don’t," I whispered.
But he didn’t stop, he moved closer until he was only a breath away.
"How are you?" he asked, his voice trembling now.
"How is the baby? Tell you have been eating and sleeping well. I can’t stop thinking about you." he said and his breath kept brushing against my face.
My eyes burned with unshed tears, but I kept my gaze fixed on the floor.
"Just... help Kelvin," I repeated.
Instead of arguing, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number right there in front of . His voice was steady, authoritative, when he spoke into the receiver.
"Yes, it’s . I want you to handle the case of Kelvin Lancaster. I don’t care what strings you have to pull, he’s getting out. Tomorrow at the latest, do I make myself clear?"he asked the person he called.
My breath hitched.
He ended the call and slipped the phone back into his pocket, his eyes locking on mine again.
"It’s done," he said simply.
I stared at him in shock.
He just agreed?
"Because you asked to," Kendrick said, stepping closer, he seed to know what I was thinking.
His hand brushed against mine, as if afraid I would pull away.
"Because you still matter to and I can’t lose you again," he added.
My chest felt too tight.
"Stop it," I whispered harshly.
"Don’t play these gas with . Not after everything and definitely not after Celeste... "
"Celeste," he cut off, his jaw tightening.
"She lied." he said with a disgusted tone.
My eyes shot to his in shock. "What?"
"The baby she is carrying... it’s not mine." His voice was cold and sharp with suppressed rage.
"It’s my father, Raymond’s." he revealed.
The floor seed to tilt beneath .
I breathed, shaking my head. "No, that can’t be true."
"It is," Kendrick said, his eyes blazing.
"She tried to use and trap , but the truth is filthier than either of us imagined. Raymond is the father...not ." he repeated.
I stumbled back, my hand flying to my mouth as disgust churned in my stomach until I thought I might be sick.
My heart broke anew, not just for , but for the twisted web I had been dragged into.
Kendrick closed the distance between us again, his hand finding mine and gripping tightly.
"Christy, listen to . I won’t let them hurt you. I won’t let anyone touch you or our child. Give another chance to fix this. I’ll marry you... Give you a big wedding, the kind you deserve. I’ll protect you with everything I am. Just... don’t shut out." he promised.
Tears finally spilled down my cheeks, silent and hot. I wanted to believe him and wanted to fall into the safety of his promises.
But fear and doubt clawed at , whispering that I would be a fool again.
Before I could answer, the door slamd open.
I jerked around, my heart lurching into my throat as I saw a woman with a striking resemblance to Kendrick.
Kendrick’s mother?
" You witch!" she spat while glaring at .
Kendrick’s grip on my hand tightened protectively.
Reviews
All reviews (0)