I was hurt, disappointed, shocked, I was a lot of things but I wasn’t going to show it. “Fine. I’d be glad to sign it.” I replied nonchalantly.
“You’d be glad to sign it? Shayan who are you trying to kid? At least be real with me, don’t hide your feelings from me.” He begged and I lost it.
“What do you expect me to do? Go on my knees and beg you not to terminate the contract?” I angrily asked, angry tears threatening to spill.
“No at least tell me the truth, what do you want?” He asked softly.
“It doesn’t matter what I want, you may leave now Adrios.”
“Why are you pushing me out Shayan, what is it you’re scared of?” He said so softly but I could see how frustrated he was with the way he was running his hands through his hair.
“You. I’m scared of loving you and getting my heart broken okay.” I angrily shouted. “I’m scared that I wouldn’t be enough for you,” I added softly the tears spilling.
“Gosh Shayan, you’re more than enough.” He softly said wiping my tears and taking my hands.
“I don’t feel good enough, I feel like the only thing I bring is my emotional baggage and… and…” I couldn’t complete my sentence and kept on crying.
“You’re more than enough Shayan if it’s because of anything I’ve said to you please let it go. Don’t belittle yourself because of something I said it’s in the past, I was stupid to say that. You’re the most beautiful and amazing woman I’ve ever met Shayan. You’re a great mother and wife. I’m not just saying this to you because I want you to forgive me or make me feel better. I’m saying this because it’s the truth and you need to let that sink into your head. I couldn’t have asked for a better woman Shay and you’re it for me. I can’t see myself with someone else Shay. You’re it for me, no one else.”
I smiled hearing his words, it was time to let it sink. It was time to let it all go. “I can’t see myself with someone else either Kel,” I admitted and he smiled pulling me to a hug.
“I love you Shayan, I never stopped.” He confessed.
“I don’t think I did too,” I admitted smiling. After saying that I felt free as if something has been taken away from my chest.
He pulled me in for a kiss and when we parted I just stayed in his arms smiling.
“Does it mean we’re going back to daddy now?” Evie asked peering in and I smiled nodding.
“Yaaay.” Evie let out an excited scream.
I went home with Kel that night after having a long talk with my parents. We decided to come clean with my parents.
“So your marriage was a contract, a sham?” My dad asked angrily. “Why would you do that Shayan.”
“I needed the money for your surgery dad, the bills were pilling. I didn’t want to at first but I eventually did.”
“I sensed something was up when I saw the news about the marriage knowing how you hated him but I just thought he had fooled you the same way he did before.” mom said
“How could you keep that from us, you could have at least told us.” Dad angrily said glaring daggers at Kel.
“I’m sorry sir, I didn’t give her an option to. It’s all my fault, she wanted to tell you.” Kel spoke up and my dad looked at him angrily.
“I seriously don’t know what to think of you. I don’t know why Shayan couldn’t find someone else instead it was you. You’ve been nothing but trouble to her, you were the bad boy I always warned her against.”
“I’m sorry sir, but I love her,” Kel said holding my hand.
“And she does too, it’s her call. If you’re the one she wants then it’s fine but so help me God you make another slip you’d never see them.” My dad threatened.
“I wouldn’t, thank you, sir,” Kel said smiling a little and my dad just walked away.
“Stop keeping things to yourself Shayan, we’d have understood if you told us .” She said looking a bit sad that I didn’t tell her.
“I’m sorry Mom,” I said hugging her.
“It’s okay. It’s all in the past now, I just hope the future would treat you guys well.”
“I hope so to mom,” I said smiling and she did the same before leaving us.
“I’m sorry for all the pain I’ve caused you,” Kel said hugging me.
“It’s okay. I just want us to start on a new note.”
“About that…” He paused then got out a paper which happened to be the contract and tore it to pieces.
“I’ve ended the contract now Shayan. You’re free to do as you please. I’m sorry for infringing on your right to movement and association. I know I’ve done a lot of things to you but if you still want me I promise to be a better guy. To love you and build our family together. So what do you say, are you willing to put up with me, to be with me forever.”
“Yes, Kel.” My smile was very wide as he planted his lips on mine.
It’s been two days since we got back and things with us have been okay. I’m trying not to let anything get in the way of our love this time. I want to work on my trust for him, I know that’s something that isn’t stable and then to let go of every pending anger and hatred. I’m trying to forget but sometimes that evil part of my conscience would remind me of all the things he did. We were still both overwhelmed with guilt we still needed to work on forgiving ourselves first. Sometimes I imagine how it would have been if we hadn’t broken up if he knew and followed up with the pregnancy if we raised Evie together if he was there from the beginning and I know he thinks the same too and it makes me feel so sad and guilty because I know how much he wanted to be there for his child every step of the way.
“What are you thinking of this time?” He started by kissing my neck, kissing me out of my reverie.
“How things would have been if we had started differently,” I answered and he sighed.
“Shay, you have to let go, that’s in the past now. We just have to make our present and future better okay.” He said cupping my face and I nodded.
“I love you.” I smiled, we were so close to kissing when we heard Evie making sleepy noise and turning to face us and we just chuckled.
Evie has refused to sleep in her room which I couldn’t blame her for. She wants to get close to him and I know how Kel had been making efforts too. They spend a lot of time together and he comes home every day with gifts for her and me. Sometimes I get slightly jealous over the way they spread a lot of time together. She’s always asking for Kel and I think it’s the excitement of having her father present that is getting to her and I know Kel is finding it difficult to balance his time with me, her, his work and family.
“That reminds me, Shay, my family would be coming over for dinner on Friday and I would love Evie to meet them. I don’t know how my mom’s going to take that though.” I understood his dilemma about his mom, it’s not like she’d shout at him anyway. I was going to bear the brunt of it all.
“It’ll be fine, what’s the worst that can happen?” I chuckled and he did too.
It was a text on my phone that woke me up the next morning.
The whole world would soon know about everything. The secret you both are keeping. If you don’t want to be exposed send $15 million in the next hour. The clock is ticking.