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"Start from the beginning,"I manage to request, my voice trembling with a mix of emotions.
Robyn takes a deep breath, her shoulders heavy with the weight of the past year, as she shares the story of what's been happening with unexpected twists and hidden truths that will profoundly influence our lives.
Her words linger in the air, heavy with the emotions that mark our tumultuous year apart. Her gaze, a mix of sorrow and longing, meets mine as she begins to recount the events that bring us to this moment.
"Well, it started with your mom thinking we were getting too close. I guess she was right," she admits, her voice tinged with bitterness and resignation as she gazed lovingly at our son. "She suspected something more between us, Knox. But, to keep her at bay, I had to stay away from you, even after we had shared our love and made love. It hurt, knowing I had to leave, but I did it to protect you and your family.
I listen in silence, my heart aching with the knowledge of the sacrifices she made, the pain she endured in silence all these years. Robyn's eyes reflect the difficulty of her words as she continues, revealing the depths of her commitment to my family's well-being because I had cared so much for hers.
"Do you know how hard it was seeing you date other women in these last fifteen years?"Robyn's voice wavers, betraying the emotions that have long been buried."But you still cared enough about me and my family's well-being to put money in their college funds, to pay for attorneys for my brother to beat his case. Iknowyou did all of that, Knox. I had to repay you. I just wanted you to be happy, even if it wasn't with me."
My chest tightens as I absorb the magnitude of her words. The sacrifices she's made, the silent support she's offered to my family, all while enduring her own trials. It's a testament to the depth of her love, and her unwavering dedication to me, to us.
Robyn's gaze shifts to the baby in her arms, and for a moment, a soft smile graces her lips."It was only after I left, that I found out I was..."She trails off, unable to complete the sentence, but her meaning is clear.
The room is filled with a heavy silence as the weight of her confession settles upon us. The journey that has brought us to this moment, the secrets that have bound us, and the sacrifices we've made for the sake of our love and our families. It's a complex tapestry of emotions, regrets, and longing, and as we sit in that moment of truth, there's a sense that our story is far from over.
I can't help but let the questions tumble from my lips, the need for answers burning within me."Does my mother know about Ryan?"I ask, my voice tinged with both apprehension and curiosity."I hate to ask, but I need to know. Who in my family knows about any of this?"
Robyn's gaze meets mine, and I can see the truth in her eyes."To my knowledge, Knox, your mother doesn't know about Ryan. The only person I let in on any of this is Reese."
My brows furrow as I try to make sense of it all. Reese, a confidant and supporter, has played a pivotal role in Robyn's story. She continues to explain, and the pieces of a puzzle that had eluded me begin to fall into place.
"Reese helped me in more ways than I can express,"Robyn admits, her voice filled with gratitude."He secured a place for me to stay when I returned to town and made sure my job at Forrester Media remained intact."
As she speaks, the significance of Reese's actions becomes clear to me. I had observed their interactions, the separate meetings and dinners, but had been in the dark about their true nature.
"Reese also informed Talon about my situation,"Robyn adds, her words shedding light on my youngest brother’s offhanded comments about us being like a‘married couple.’It's a revelation that leaves me feeling blindsided and betrayed by my own family's secrecy.
The room is filled with the weight of the complex web of secrets and alliances that have shaped our path. As we sit in that moment, I can't help but feel a mixture of emotions—betrayal, anger, and a deep longing for the truth. It's a turning point for us, one where the past meets the present, and the future remains uncertain.
My frustration simmers beneath the surface, and I can't help but let it spill out in the form of a question."So, my brothers knew about this, and didn't say a word to me?"My voice carries a tone of exasperation and irritation.
Robyn's response is a delicate dance of emotions, a mix of understanding and frustration that colors her words."I didn't want anyone to know, Knox,"she explains, her voice carrying the weight of her decision."I wanted to wait for the right time to tell you, on my terms."
As her words sink in, the dynamics of the situation begin to make sense. Robyn's intentions were rooted in love, in the desire to protect me from the scandal that could have erupted. She wanted to shield our child from the prying eyes of the world. Her decision to keep it a secret has been an act of love, but it has also placed an immense burden on her shoulders.
I find myself torn between anger at my family's secrecy and understanding of Robyn's reasons. It's a complex mix of emotions, a storm brewing within me as I grapple with the truth of our situation.
Overwhelmed by a whirlwind of emotions, my heart brimming with love and adoration, I can't hold back any longer. I look at Robyn with longing and finally ask in a hushed tone,"Can I hold our son, Robyn?"
She meets my eyes, her gaze filled with understanding and tenderness. With a warm smile, she replies softly,"Of course, Knox."Her words are like music to my ears, and I reach out to cradle our five-month-old son, Ryan, in my arms.
Wonder and affection washes over me. His eyes seem to hold the entire universe within them. His reddish brown hair, a little darker than mine, adds to his charm. The tiny strands sticking out are a testament to his newness in this world, and I can't help but marvel at how perfect he is.
I listen intently as Robyn continues to explain the journey that led to Ryan's arrival, affectionately called"Ry-Ry"by Auntie Anika. It all started the previous year, before she left for Europe from our intimate late nights in the offices of Forrester Media In September and again in November. The morning sickness that followed from her pregnancy raised suspicions during Zoom meetings with Reese, causing him to question what was going on.
As Robyn continues to explain her past year, the weight of her words settles heavily upon us. Her voice quivers with emotion, and tears glisten in her eyes as she unveils the truth.
"That's why I asked you not to come visit me in Europe, why I kept my distance," she confesses, her words laced with both regret and sorrow.
She goes on to reveal that she had discovered her pregnancy in January and gave birth at the end of August. Anika had been taking care of their child, Ry-Ry, here at the house while Robyn returned to work.
My emotions swirl, caught between understanding her reasons and feeling hurt by her actions. The question that burns within me escapes before I can stop it. "Robyn," I inquire, my voice tinged with the ache of betrayal, "did you have our son in the United States, or was he born in Europe?"
Robyn's tears continue to flow, and she reaches out to hold my hand, her grip trembling with emotion. "He was born in the United States, Knox," she admits, her voice barely above a whisper. "I couldn't bear the thought of being so far away from my family, from everyone I knew, especially during such a vulnerable time. I thought it was the best decision at the time."
As her words hang in the air, I grapple with a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The hurt of not being there for the birth of our child wars with the understanding of why she made that choice. In the end, all I can do is squeeze her hand and say, "I wish you had trusted our love enough to tell me, Robyn. I would have been there for you, no matter the distance."
