ALESSIA
When we arrived at Pia’s house, she was delighted to welcome us. She immediately hugged Adrian when she saw him.
“Who is he, dear?” Pia inquired when she saw Claude unloading our luggage.
I was about to answer, but Claude spoke first, approaching without us realizing.
“Good afternoon. I’m Claude, Adrian’s father,” Claude extended his hand to Pia.
The old woman raised an eyebrow as she looked at Claude. Though his face was serious, she still accepted his hand.
“Oh! So, you’re Sia’s ex-husband. It’s good that you’re here now. It’s good that you remembered you have a family to take care of. What happened that you’re only showing up now? Oh, don’t bother answering, I know why.”
Claude let out a sigh. “Ah, I just accompanied my wife and my son. I didn’t want them to commute since Adrian has just gotten discharged from the hospital. And I also wanted to see where they live now. Thank you so much for taking care of my wife and my son. I also want to inform you that Sia and I are still married. We just separated, but we’re still married to each other,” Claude said with a smile.
Pia glanced at me, as if waiting for me to confirm what Claude said.
I wanted to deny that we were still married, but I noticed that my husband is also staring directly at me. Adrian was also there, still hugging his grandmother tightly. So, I had no choice but to admit the truth.
“Claude is right, Pia. He is indeed Adrian’s father. That’s why I asked for his help to get our son operated on. He also provided us with a place to stay after Adrian’s operation. We couldn’t go home immediately because Adrian still needs to have a check-up.”
I had to explain in full detail why Claude was with us now. Pia was the first one to get angry when she found out I was pregnant when I returned from the mansion. She was furious at Claude. She almost stormed into the mansion. Fortunately, I was able to stop her. So, I wasn’t surprised that Pia wasn’t very friendly towards Claude.
“Let’s go inside. My grandson looks tired. He might want to rest,” Pia said as she entered the house, followed by Adrian.
“Is she mad at me? Why does she seem to dislike me?” Claude whispered when we were left alone.
I raised an eyebrow. “Do you think she’ll be happy to find out that the person she took care of came home pregnant and separated from her husband?” I countered.
Claude’s face fell. “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I know you’re getting annoyed. But I can’t change the past. That’s why I’m trying to fix things now, especially regarding us and Adrian. I’ve made many mistakes, and I regret them. I hope you and our son can forgive me,” Claude said, with a faint smile.
“Maybe I can forgive you, but it’s hard to forget. When I look back at my life when I was still living in your house, I still feel hurt, especially everytime that I remembered how Pia and I struggled from the time I was pregnant until now that Adrian is growing up. I thought, back then, that I wouldn’t be able to raise him because our life was already difficult, and then he got sick. I felt like my fate was so cruel,” I said tearfully.
I couldn’t help but become emotional when I recalled the hardships Adrian and I had gone through. Fortunately, Pia was there with me through my struggles. If not for her, I didn’t know where we would be.
Claude let out a sigh.
“I know that saying sorry isn’t enough for you to forgive me. That’s why I will do everything to make it up to you and Adrian. I will also try to win your mother over. If you really can’t accept me back into your life, at least let me fulfill my responsibility as Adrian’s father. That’s the least I can do for you two,” Claude said sincerely.
I glanced at Claude, trying to understand the implications of his words.
“So, does that mean you’re giving up? Have you accepted that we’re really over?” I asked.
Claude looked at me, studying my face intently. His gaze held no malice, but I could sense other emotions in his eyes that I didn’t want to see. Unsettled, I looked away.
“I don’t want to give up because if I do, it’s like throwing away the remaining hope of our family being whole again. But I also know that there are things that cannot be forced, just like what happened between us before. I couldn’t force myself to accept and love you during those times because I was so angry at you. I only realized your importance when you were gone. It took me years to realize that I have fallen in love with you and that I was so stupid to let you go,” Claude confessed.
My heart raced, and I couldn’t move from where I stood because of what I heard from Claude. He had apologized to me many times, but he never mentioned his feelings for me. This was the first time I heard him say that. I didn’t know whether to be happy or to cry at his admission that he loved me.
If Claude had said this to me before, maybe I wouldn’t have left his side even if I was hurting. Maybe I wouldn’t have agreed to sign the divorce papers. Maybe I could have endured all the pain in his company.
But fate can be ironic. Just when I had given all my feelings up for Claude and was already happy with Adrian and Pia, he returned to me, claiming all his responsibilities to our son.
Is this the right time to fall in love again? Can love be sweeter the second time around? Is it right to give Claude a chance? Or am I just deceiving myself because I still have some love left for him?
But Adrian needs a father. I also need a husband I can rely on, especially during difficult times. Is Claude worthy of another chance? Or am I just afraid that the same scene I witnessed in his condo unit will happen again?
“Oh! What are you two still doing out there, huh? Why haven’t you come inside yet? Your son has been feeling hungry for a while now. Are you satisfied just staring at each other?” Pia complained as she came out again and stood by the door.
Claude blinked. I nervously bit my lip.
“Let’s go. Your mom might not let me in later,” Claude almost whispered. He even held my hand, which made my heart race even faster. It felt like it wanted to break free from my body. If I fell, would Claude catch me?
Shit! You’re acting like a teenager, Alessia. Holding hands and you’re already giddy!