AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Forty
Hadley
“Mommy, stop crying,” Lucy hugged her knees as she continued watching me from the floor. She hadn’t left that spot since we got home.
I finally answered Scott’s call once we were inside the apartment, only for me to drown out everything he yelled in my ear.
I was mentally drained after listening to him.
It had been hours, and Scott still harassed me with phone calls and texts. Everything had been perfect. We were having a great time until Lilly saw us shopping with Elijah. The longer I sat there, the more confused I was as to why it was such a problem for them that Elijah was in our life. It wasn’t fair that Scott had nothing to do with Lucy and Eli but got mad when someone else did something with them.
Why did I have to experience all this turmoil and fear? Why did I have to worry that someone would come and take them away when they were happiest when with me?
I shouldn’t have to. I shouldn’t even be threatened by their father and grandma like that.
But realizing that only made me cry more.
More text messages came in. I was hesitant to pick up my phone and view them thinking it was going to be Scott.
Elijah: I’m worried. Will you please let me come up?
Elijah: I can’t stand knowing that you’re up there crying over something that’s not even worth crying over.
You big buffoon. Why did he have to be so hot-headed? I loved that he defended me but hated the way he spoke to Lucy’s grandma right in front of her.
Elijah: Is Lucy mad that I yelled at her mamaw?
I peered down at Lucy after reading his texts. She stared at me with round eyes. “It’s been a long day, hasn’t it?” I asked.
“When are we going to Elijah’s?” she asked instead.
“We’re going to stay here tonight.”
“Why?”
“Because…”
She frowned. “You said I could always see Elijah if I wanted to, no matter what anyone says.”
“I never said you couldn’t.”
“Then why are you crying?”
I sighed. “It’s nothing for you to worry about.”
“I don’t want to go to Meme Lilly’s anymore!” She jumped up suddenly and ran off. I got up and followed her. She was belly-first on her bed.
“I’m not making you go to your meme’s house.” I sat down beside her and patted her back.
“I hate it there! All they do is say mean stuff about you, and it hurts my feelings!”
I always knew they would talk about me, but what I never understood was how much it hurt my little girl. It felt like a knife straight into my heart.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I whispered.
“Because I didn’t want to make your feelings hurt too.” She sniffled. I wiped my eyes and scooped her up in my arms. She hugged me tightly.
“Shh. It’s okay.” I rubbed her head. “I won’t ever make you. I’m sorry. I just wanted you to spend time with your dad.”
