MAVERICK
I rushed outside, surrendering to my humiliation. My chest filled with regrets as I succumbed to my heartbreak. I cried in silence, gripping the wall, holding on to my dear life when I felt like I was about to collapse and I couldn’t breathe.
“Mrs. Winston?”
I bit my bottom to stifle my cry, but it still slipped out. I punched the elevator button, but it somehow didn’t work until Owen pressed his card.
I was so stupid to come back and think it would be the same. He helped me inside the elevator as I hid my face and cried against the wall.
“He’s been stressed out. I’m glad you’re back.”
I shook my head repeatedly.
“Let’s get back inside.”
“No. I’m going to Nana.” I wiped my tears with the back of my hand as I tried to stand straight, still holding my suitcase.
“Your grandmother has been staying at your home.”
“Home?” I met his gaze.
“Yes. I will take you there.”
“No.”
Once we reached the parking area, I walked past him, dragging my suitcase away while he followed me easily.
“At least let me take you a cab.”
I nodded when I had no strength left to argue.
The cab stopped before me. He helped me to the backseat and stuffed my luggage into the trunk.
When the cab driver told me where to go, I couldn’t reply. My mind tottered, and my heart broke.
I should not have taken that long, but maybe it was a test or something- if I really mattered to him. It certainly was not the result I expected, but perhaps it was a sign that there was no future for us, and we were buried in too much trouble, and all the shits that happened in just seven months were the signs I chose to ignore.
Even though he was still wearing his wedding band, he had already broken his vows-he had broken the sanctity of marriage.
“Miss?”
I told the cab driver the address to Cooper. He was the only one I could reach out to, and I knew he would not hesitate to open a door for me.
“Holy shit.” His eyes widened as he saw me. Then, someone was standing behind him. It was Mira.
“Oh gosh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” I stepped back.
“Wait.”
“It’s fine, Coop. I’ll call you in the morning.” I rushed back to the elevator. My eyes burned again. This time, I forced my tears back. Instead, I called my brother.
“That was fast. How was the reunion?” he asked as his greeting.
“Can you take me to your apartment, please?”
“What the fuck?” He grunted over the phone. “I swear I will snap his-”
“Please?”
“Of course, sis,” he said calmly. “Just hang in there.”
I gave him Cooper’s address. Terzo didn’t talk for twenty minutes on our way to his apartment, but I could feel the tension in his car. His neck tightened, and his eyes narrowed toward the road ahead of us.
As we entered the elevator, he carried my suitcase like it weighed nothing and had said nothing ever since. As he unlocked his apartment door, he threw his keys into the bowl at the corner.
“Wow.” I looked around. For a wanted criminal, his studio apartment was big and spotless. I couldn’t even imagine him living here, sitting on the couch with his beer, watching a football match.
“Bathroom at the right corner. Take the bed. I’ll take a hotel room.”
“What?” I turned to him. “You can’t. You’re supposed to stay dead.”
“I’m fine, sis.” He wasn’t. He was mad. Furious.
I glanced at his couch. It was big and looked comfy. “I’ll take the couch. You won’t fit in there.”
“Sis-”
“Please?” I gripped his arm. “I need-” I threw myself at him and hugged him tight as I began sobbing again. “Don’t go. I still need you.”
“I will fucking kill him.” He gritted his teeth.
“It’s not his fault.”
One moment, I was hugging him tight, and the next second, he was gripping my arm, eyes frozen, staring glued at me. “He hurt you, made you cry, and kicked you out while you were having his child, and you’re still his wife. Do you expect me that I should just let it go? He’s no better than Giosue and will have the same fate.”
“I wasn’t able to tell him.” I swallowed hard. “Just let it go, and you can’t hurt the father of my child, Terzo.”
Nose flaring, he loosened his grip around my arms and checked if he didn’t hurt me. He pulled me into a hug again before he released me. “You take the bed. I’ll stay on the couch.”
I crunched my nose. “Um-”
“I don’t bring women here if that’s what your nasty look is all about. Go and change. If you want to soak, I have a bathtub.”
“I’m fine. I’m exhausted anyway.” I dragged my suitcase near his bed and pulled out some clean clothes.
“Was he at the penthouse?”
“Please, don’t go there. I don’t want a headache. I need a rest. I’ll talk to my lawyer first before-”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” His head snapped in my direction.
“He filed for divorce last week, but I haven’t received a notice, and my lawyer can’t contact me. And please, stop cursing. You don’t want your first nephew or niece’s first word is fuck.”
“He filed a divorce. That’s impossible. Are you sure?” he pressed, sounding like a demand.
“Yeah. I was in his penthouse. He was only in his sweatpants and told me someone was waiting for him upstairs.”
“Motherfucker!”
I went to the bathroom to freshen up and changed into my pajamas. When I came back, I was relieved he was still on the couch but had changed to sweatpants and a tee. I tucked myself in his well-made bed, but my mind went to Lake again.
Lake looked so handsome and hot shirtless. I didn’t expect a warm welcome. I expected him to throw a fit at me, but never in my wildest dream he was already sleeping with another woman, let alone file a divorce.
I placed my hand on my still flat tummy when Terzo spoke, “What is your plan with your child?”
“I will raise him or her. Alone.”
“Good. If he comes to see his child, I will shoot him behind his head.”
I chuckled. “You can’t be that cold all the time. You’ll be an uncle, so I suggest you keep your horn in your skull. And I need a job. I won’t be returning to AM.”
“Sleep, sis. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”
“Well, yeah. I don’t have money.”
“Sis, I’m rich. Your father is rich, not as rich as that asshole, but you can have a good life without working. Our money isn’t all blood money or dirty. If your account is still active, I’ll send you monthly support.”
“I can’t accept that.”
“Well, you don’t have a choice right now. You need savings. Your baby is growing inside you. You need to see a doctor first and plan how to raise it alone. Raising a kid is expensive. I’m here to help, even only financially. You can’t push me away, Maverick. I’m that kid’s uncle.”
I smiled as I lay down on the side of the bed. “There’s still enough space for you, Terzo.”
“Enough talking.”
“Night.”