AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. “I understand. And I’ll always be here for you, no matter what. It doesn’t have to be as a married couple. It can be in… other ways.”
“Maybe… maybe we could co-parent?” she suggests cautiously, her voice barely a whisper. “Whether from the same city or divided between our countries…” Her eyes are pleading, searching mine for any sign of agreement or rejection.
But what it is, I don’t know. Is she trying to give me an opportunity to back off here, no strings attached?
My heart lurches at the thought of being apart from my child and Lily. The idea of losing them both is like a punch to the gut, leaving me breathless and disoriented. Even though I’ve known her for years, it’s only now that I realize how much she truly means to me.
“I understand if you don’t want to be involved,” she continues, her voice trembling. “But I just wanted to put the option out there.”
I try to swallow the lump in my throat as the words pierce through me. Does she not want me involved? Or is she just trying to protect herself from the inevitable pain that comes with loving someone like me — someone who can’t give her the commitment she deserves?
Then it hits me. I already know the truth. She wants me out of the picture completely.
And who could blame her?
My heart hammers in my chest, and I can barely hear myself speak over the deafening sound of my internal screams, urging me to fight for her, to convince her to stay. But deep down, I know I’m not capable of being the man she needs.
“I should go.” She draws her shoulders back and turns around.
My heart aches as I watch her walk to the front door. I want to say something, anything, to make her stay, but the words won’t come. I know that letting her go is the right thing to do, for both of us.
“Goodbye, Lily,” I finally manage to say as she reaches the door.
She hesitates for a moment. “Goodbye, Felix.”
With that, she opens the door and steps out into the night, taking a piece of me with her.
CHAPTER 25
LILY
Weeks have passed since that fateful day when I decided to walk away from Felix. There was a time when his presence would fill any room with laughter and warmth, but now, all that’s left is a heart-wrenching void.
The air inside my house is heavy as I prepare tea in anticipation of my mother’s visit. I’ve been avoiding her for the last few weeks, but I can’t keep hiding away. Pretty soon my pregnancy will be showing, and the truth will be out in the world.
Well, some of it.
I stand by the window, watching the autumn leaves sway gently in the wind. My heart feels as fragile as they look; it’s strange how something so beautiful can be so brittle.
I left Felix to protect myself from heartbreak, but it seems I’m already too late. I’ve always wondered how the women he bewitched fell for him so easily, and now, I find myself on that same list.
In an attempt to distract myself from the emptiness within, I’ve thrown myself into my charity efforts. Watching the children smile and laugh brings a semblance of joy back into my life. And knowing that I’ll soon have my own little one to care for gives me hope for a brighter future. I can’t wait to be a mom, even though I wish the circumstances were different.
Feeling a little better, I arrange the delicate china cups and saucers on the tray. I take a deep breath, inhaling the comforting scent of peppermint tea, before carrying the tray to the living room, where we’ll sit and chat.
It’s an old custom, this tea time, and since we haven’t done it in a couple months, the session is long overdue.
My mind races, thinking about how I’ll break the news to her about Felix and me. Will she be disappointed? Angry? Or maybe even relieved?
As the doorbell rings, announcing my mother’s arrival, I take one last deep breath and stand up.
Time to face the music, I think as I walk towards the door.
“Hi, Mom. Come on in.” I open the door wide.
The sunlight filters through the trees outside, casting dappled patterns on the polished hardwood floor. My mother steps into the foyer, her heels clicking softly as she crosses the threshold. She looks elegant as always, her silver hair pulled back in a chignon, her tailored suit immaculate.
“Darling, it’s so good to see you.” She wraps me in a hug that smells of designer perfume and home.
