“Mom, they’re the ones that are lying. Her sister is still alive,” she screamed at us.
Oh, my goodness, could this night get any worse?
That’s not something the world needs to know right now, especially Corban’s parents before my own. Catherine turns toward me, Corban, and Rachel. I cast my eyes down so I don’t have to meet her questioning gaze.
“Mom, there are things that we are unsure about yet and that’s one of them,” Corban has calmed down enough to speak in a reasonable tone.
Catherine looks like she has a million questions running through her mind. “Athena, darling, how can you trust this man after hearing about what had happened, and how her sister was treated by this man?” She gestures towards Jacob, who’s standing there with a wry smile on his face. He’s such a manipulator. He can twist things his way with ease. He has a gift for having people believe in him. Anger begins to bubble within me and I can’t hold myself back.
“You’re a twisted sick bastard, Jacob! Why can’t you just leave me and my family alone?” I yell at him from across the room.
“Melodi…I don’t know what you mean. I’ve kept my distance.”
I wish his lie burnt his mouth. “You’re a liar and a manipulator. I don’t know what you’ve filled Athena’s head with, but I’m sure it’s all lies like everything that dribbles from your mouth.” I turn toward Catherine. “I’m sorry the night has been ruined. But unfortunately, I can’t, no, I won’t stay a moment longer while he’s here.”
Corban walks towards me, taking my hand in his. A simple gesture but it speaks volumes as it’s the support I need.
“Sorry, Mom. We’ll talk soon. And Athena, I really hope you wake up and soon because that man right there is manipulating you.” With that said, Corban gives his mum a kiss on her cheek and leaves. Rachel and Axel decide to leave with us. I think Rachel might actually want to hurt her sister for the stupid mistake she’s making. I can only hope that Athena doesn’t get hurt, or even worse. I know he’s just told her lies and she’s young and stupid enough that she will believe him no matter what anyone tells her.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Abby
We finally arrived at our temporary apartment and things between Blake and I are, to say the least, tense. We haven’t spoken much about the whole Katie issue. I feel terrible not having told him, but with things the way they were it wasn’t high on my list of priorities to try to reach out to him and risk putting myself, and my baby, back in danger.
Katie is coping pretty well considering all that’s happened lately. She’s a bright little girl and has really taken to Blake, which makes me happy. He’s so sweet. When they play together, her happy little giggles fill me with joy knowing that she’s able to connect with her dad so easily.
Sitting in the unfamiliar place, I can hear Blake reading Katie a story. Thankfully, the apartment is furnished and we didn’t have to worry about all that stuff. My mind hasn’t had much time to process what’s been happening. When Blake showed up on my doorstep a few days ago, every emotion from happiness straight to fear ran through me. I couldn’t believe he was there. I thought it was a dream. He looked as good as he did those years ago, and my heart lit up with excitement as my nerves kicked in.
After he told me what was happening with Melodi and with Jacob tormenting her, I couldn’t let her face this on her own. I packed my bags and left with him. I had to help, and if this whole thing gives me the chance to be back with my family, then I’m going to do anything I can. I won’t run again. I’m done, and I want Jacob to suffer just like I have been suffering from not being with my family and keeping Katie from them and more importantly Blake. Guilt will always tear away at me for keeping her from him, but what’s done is done. I can only pray that things will get better with time, but I know that it’s going to get worse before it gets better.
“What are you thinking?”
I jump at his voice because I didn’t hear him come back into the room. I take a deep breath to calm my heart rate. He comes around and takes a seat on the couch with me. His incredible emerald eyes burn into mine, igniting the passion that’s always been there. That passion has been locked away for the last three years, pining for the one man who made me feel like no other man had made me feel before. Now here he is sitting in front of me once again. After everything, I can’t help but wonder if his feelings for me are as strong now as they were back then. I know I’m sounding like a little school girl wondering if some boy likes me or not, but I can’t help it.
“I’m not sure really. I’m more worried about you.” My eyes never leave his as I watch him wipe his hand over his face, releasing a sigh. I can see the tension and pain written over his face, in every worry line that crosses his forehead.
“I hate that you kept Katie from me.”
My heart shatters into millions of pieces at his words. “I know, and I’m truly sorry. You have no idea how the guilt of keeping her from you has affected me.” Tears begin to well in my eyes, and tightness wraps around my chest.
“I have to ask…are you sure she’s mine? I mean you were also with Jacob, so, of course, I can’t help but wonder.” He averts his eyes from mine, looking ashamed for asking the question.
“I might’ve been in a relationship with Jacob, but it had been months since he laid a hand on me in that manner. We weren’t intimate for a while.” I take his hand in mine which warms my heart at his simple touch. “You were the only one at the time of conception. You made me feel alive and important.”
“You were, and still are, important. Especially to me.” His free hand cups my cheek. I close my eyes and savour the moment. It’s amazing how your feelings not only remain the same but intensify as time goes on. It’s been so long since I’ve been close to anyone, years actually. The last man to touch me is the same man touching me now. No one else ever measured up to him, so I waited. “How is it possible since you were on the pill?”
I open my eyes to be met with one charming smile. “After things happened between us I got sick, do you remember the day after when I couldn’t meet you?”
He nods.
“Well, when you get a bug it can affect the pill’s reliability. And yeah, it makes it easier to fall pregnant.”
“Oh, wow! That was something I never thought could happen.”
“Yeah, I know. Imagine how I felt after I left and started becoming sick. Then boom, double lines on a pregnancy test.” I laugh at the memory of it now. I was in the bathroom at the women’s shelter with the lady that ran it waiting outside the door. She knew something was off when I was constantly feeling sick,throwing up, and unable to keep any food down. As I sat there waiting, my heart pounded in my chest so loudly that I could hear it thumping in my ears. Then those double lines appeared and my world turned upside down. The rollercoaster ride just never stopped to let me catch my breath. I automatically knew it was Blake’s, without a shadow of a doubt, and a part of me was super excited to have this part of Blake with me all the time. Not only as a reminder of him but a reminder of the love we shared. Yes, I can easily say I love Blake.
“When were you going to tell me?” His fingers laced between mine. It’s like nothing between us has changed, all those feelings are right there on the surface laid out for each other to explore.
“Well, while I was in hiding, I couldn’t contact you. Since you came and got me, I’ve been trying to find the right time to tell you, but things have been so full on.”
“Why didn’t you tell me while you were hiding? You could have contacted me.” I hear tension in his voice.
“I didn’t want to risk her, or my life. The thought of Jacob coming for us when you weren’t there to protect us…” I trail off.
He takes my face in his hands and places his lips gently on mine. Every nerve in my body awakens to his kiss. I’ve missed his lips, his kind caring nature, and just him in general. He’s my everything and will always be my everything no matter what happens.