CHAPTER 17 ( Chapter 15)
“Yes! You heard me, Justin. James is a better father than you will ever be. He doesn’t leave when things get rough, he doesn’t walk away from me when I need him the most.”
My voice started to break. I tried too hard to lock my feelings and keep them hidden for so long. I lived with the pain without uttering a word to anyone and Justin just made me think of it all again.
I tried to stop myself from crying. I wanted to yell, grab his collar, and hit his face vtill I felt better. Maybe that way, we would share the same pain.
“Don’t ever compare your lover to me. Those kids Amelia and Aiden belong to me.” He asserted with possessiveness that irked me to the core. They belong to him? Other than donating a sperm for them, what else did he do over the years that show they are his?
“Where were you? Where were you when I was called from their school to pick them up because they were both sick? Where were you when they would both fall sick and I was left to cater for them all alone? Where were you, Justin? You left me.
“I will tell you. You were with somebody else. Probably not thinking and caring about us and now you think you can just walk into my life, our lives all over again like nothing ever happened?”
Justin didn’t say anything. Maybe he was ashamed of himself or finding another power pack comeback. Either way, I didn’t give him a chance to say a word. I have been quiet for so long.
“You left us.” My heart broke into a million pieces as I spoke. I didn’t realize tears were rolling from the side of my face.
“Isa, I…I…I’m sorry,” Justin reduced his aggressive tone.
“I know; I know I left you. I know I haven’t been a good father and husband to my kids and you. I’m sorry. I regret it, okay? I regret it. I regret terminating the contract, I regret leaving you behind, I regret everything. I…I care about you, Isa.”
“Care? Don’t you dare talk about care? What do you know about care? I don’t want to have this talk with you. You moved on, I moved on. You have access to your kids and that’s it. Let it stay that way. Stay away from my personal life and away from me henceforth.”
“But Isa I lo…” Justin was about to speak when I heard Amelia’s voice. Our voices had woke her up.
“Mummy?” She walked up to us sluggishly. It was clear that she was still under the influence of her sleepy eyes.
“Hey baby.” I completely ignored Justin and went over to her. I knelt in front of her and curled her face in my palms.
“Where is Aiden? Daddy? Where is Aiden?”
Justin came up to us, he also placed his hands on mine that were resting on her cheeks.
“He is fine. Just resting. You should rest too. Come on, let’s go.” He lifted her and we both went back to the chair.
What exactly does Justin want from me now? I couldn’t stop wondering. All of a sudden, he wanted to be in my business. I could barely cope when he was around and now this?
*****
We had to stay the night in the hospital. Aiden was to be kept under observation. Both, Amelia and Justin had to stay with Aiden in his ward.
I sat by his bed with my head laid beside him and my hands on he’s. Justin sat on the visitor’s chair with Amelia in his arms.
My phone rang at 7:00am. It was James calling. The sound of my ringing tone also woke Justin up.
“Hey…” I answered with a sleepy voice.
“I was unable to get the name of the hospital yesterday, I called back but it seemed your phone was experiencing a network issue.”
“Oh… I’m sorry. I had no idea you tried to reach out. Aiden is fine and we are fine too. Amelia and I. The doctor said we would be discharged today. ”
“Text me the address, I’d Come over to pick you up. ” James suggested. But I couldn’t say yes. Not after what happened yesterday. The last thing I wanted was for a scene to be created.
James didn’t like it when Justin was around even when I had explained to him several times that nothing was going on between me and Justin.
Justin On the other hand disliked James for no reason. His was quite understandable.
So him coming over was a big no.
Justin had his eyes fixed on me. He knew I was talking to James. His whole expression Changed but I didn’t care.
Amelia was still asleep in his arms and so was Aiden. I left the room and went to the door. A few minutes later I handed in some papers for his discharge.
We could finally go home. When I went back to the room, Aiden and Amelia were up. They were cheerful in their father’s company. Aiden only sustained a few injuries and a small head cut that was neatly bandaged.
“We can go home, my love. ” I said with a smile.
Okay …. Justin replied, smiling back at me.
Did he think I was referring to him as my love? Yes, I once called him that but that was a long time ago. When I was madly in love with him.
“I was talking to the kids. “There was an awkward silence in the room.
” Mummy? Would daddy stay with us now?” Aiden asked me.
The smile on my face immediately wiped off. How was I supposed to tell him his father would never leave with us?
Justin glanced at me and glanced back at the kids
“Soon. We will all stay together like a happy family. ”
When? Amelia asked.
“Sooner than expected. Daddy is just very busy with work right now. ”
“I love you both. ” He hugged them. I was hoping he only said that to persuade the kids and nothing.
“You know what? I’d stay with you both throughout today. I will put you both to sleep. Work can wait till tomorrow.”
Justin tried to convince the kids. He wanted to spend a night with us.
What was he trying to do? I wondered.
Yay… they cheered.
“I’m sure Mummy doesn’t have a problem with that either.” He gazed into my eyes with a smirk. Now I was sure he didn’t propose that idea to persuade the kids.
He wanted to achieve something, but what? An answer I was unable to figure out.
*******
10 Am, we got home. Aiden, Amelia, and Justin were all seated, chatting and catching up. They were famished I knew. I went to the kitchen and made avocado toast. They were having their breakfast when the doorbell rang.
James. He leaned on me and hugged me. There was a shopping bag with him.
“Are you okay?” he whispered into my ears and I nodded and invited him in. I was surprised to see him. Why didn’t I think about him pulling up at the house?
I stopped him from coming to the hospital but the house?
The kids saw him and quickly abandoned their food. They rushed over to him to give him a hug. The look on Justin’s face spoke of disgust and anger. Watching his kids run to another man with so much joy irked him but what could he do?
James bought them goodies; toys, chocolate, and snacks. They appreciated the gifts and went back to their food.
James and Justin’s eyes met. What I had tried so hard to avoid. I stood in between, not knowing what to say and hoping a scene wouldn’t be created by Justin.
He walked towards me and my heart skipped a beat.
“Thank you for making my kids happy.” Justin said to James. What? Justin appreciated James?
I was surprise and unable to comprehend what just happened. James was just as surprised as I was. He was even more surprised when Justin requested a handshake.
The two men engaged in a friendly handshake and I was completely lost. Now I was so sure that Justin was up to no good. Maybe I was wrong though. Maybe he had a change of heart after our fight last night. I mean it’s not impossible.
“Humm… Isabelle? I will just rest In our room. I’m exhausted.” Justin said before winking at me and walking away.
His statement sounded ambiguous and as expected, James had this look on his face that shouted insecurity. It was only normal for him to feel that way. This was someone I once loved and married we are talking about.
“Is he staying over?”He asked me.
“Yeah… but listen, just for today and for my kids. Nothing else. ” I replied, hoping that James didn’t read anything wrong.
“When were you going to tell me?” he asked with quirked eyebrows.
”I was going to tell. I was occupied and I’m sorry. ”
“Trust me. There is nothing between us anymore. “.
Okay?
Okay…
I assured him and it was all fine. Now I was sure Justin had something up his sleeves. He already initiated his plan when he told James about his stay before I could.
It was nighttime, the kids were exhausted from the fun time they had with Justin. They were fast asleep and I was super tired. Just like he said earlier, he was already In my room. I didn’t want to share a room with Justin but what options did I have? Maybe squeeze myself into my children’s beds but that would make them uncomfortable. Without an option, I made my way to my room. Justin was settled on the couch, scrolling down his room.
I paid no attention, went to my wardrobe, and picked a blanket and a pillow from the bed. I was about to turn, to leave when I saw him standing behind me. I was startled by his sudden appearance.
“Don’t sneak up on me like that.” I snapped and took two steps past him but I was pulled back by the wrist.
“Where are you off to? ”
“What does it look like? ”
“C’MON Isa,” he grabbed me by the waist. “We can just leave all this behind and start afresh.” He said pulling me impossibly close. My body was now pressed against his. I felt his road-hard body pressing my breast. His hot breath fanned my face while he spoke.
My heart was racing faster than usual. He gazed into my eyes and I was lost in his.
I was too stunned to speak. He raised my jaw, so close to his face. He lowered his head.
Was he going to kiss me.?