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The fact he didn't ask this specific question raises doubt and more questions. The raw, searing pain that's running through every fiber of my being tells me he has reopened the scars he inflicted six years ago. I glance up and speak in a voice hoarse with emotions.
"Her name is Charlotte."
The way he pulls his brows together when I say her name pushes me straight to the edge of my sanity. Doesn't he like her name? I look at the wall behind him, and with my last strength I say, "I need you to leave, Thomas.”
"But I'm here to—"
"I know why you're here. But I need time to process this."
Thomas observes me. Then shrugs. "I'll go, but I'm coming back, Emma. Charlotte has a right to know her father," he says, now putting his hands on his hips.
I rub my temples as my head feels like a volcano ready to explode. He has to leave. I don't want him to see what his sudden comeback is doing with me.
"Do you have a number where I can reach you?"
He stares at me as I walk to the shelf to grab my agenda. I take the pen that's on the table and hand a blank page to him. "Write your number here."
He approaches me, and after scribbling it on the paper, he hands it back. "This is my number. I rented a place in the city, Emma. I'm staying."
I take the notebook and place it back on the shelf. Without facing him, I wrap my arms around myself, tears already brimming my eyes. "Please leave, Thomas."
As he makes his way to the back door, just like Nick did this morning, he turns his head and holds my gaze. "See you soon, Emma," he says before leaving.
Moments later, when I hear the car engine firing up, I fall apart. My legs cave, and I drop to the floor in a disheveled heap as my emotions pour out in a flood of uncontrollable sobs. My body trembles as the raw pain oozes out.
Thomas is back.
After what seems like hours, I lift myself and grab my purse. Pulling out my phone, I press a speed dial number. It only takes a few seconds before I hear a familiar voice.
"Hey, Emma..."
"Th… Thomas is back..." I gasp for air as the ball of emotions in my throat makes it hard to breathe.
"Emma, honey, are you home?"
"Hm..." is all I can get out.
"I'm on my way."
The call ends and I drop the phone. With blurred vision, I take a seat on a chair, and I let my head fall into my hands as the stream of tears that flow faster than my heartbeat rolls over my cheeks.
A while later, I glance up when the door bursts open. Both my friends run towards me, panting, and sit down, one on each side.
"What are you doing here, Alisha? Shouldn't you be at work?" I ask with a hiccup.
"Nope, I had a day off. and when Bella told me what happened, I rushed over here. We arrived at the same time."
"Oh girls... It's such a mess," I say while the waterworks continue.
Bella pulls me into a hug, rubbing her palms over my arms as I let it all out. It takes minutes for my emotions to settle down.
"Wanna talk?" Alisha asks when I sit back, wiping the tears away..
I heave an exhausted sigh while brushing my fingers through my hair. "When I returned from dropping Charlotte at school, he was standing on my porch." God, I can't even say his name. I get up and wander to the coffee machine.
"So, without warning, he shows up? Does he have any idea what he's done, and what you went through?" Alisha lets out a chorus of foul four-letter words.
"Why did he come, Emma?" Bella asks.
