Elona’s POV
I turned away from Tristan, composing myself after those thoughts I had just minutes ago. He wanted to talk to me, so I took a deep breath and turned to face him again.
“So, what is it that you want to talk about?” I asked.
“Maggie lied to me about being pregnant with my baby. Doctor Peters changed the results of the paternity test. I’m so sorry that I broke your heart into millions of pieces. I am desperate to have you back,” he begged.
“You believed her straight away, I gave you options for us to continue dating and still supporting a baby, but you refused that. You chased me out of your house when you broke up with me. You think it’s that easy to just let you back in when you jumped at the opportunity to be a father to another woman’s baby?” my earlier fantasy vanished as hurt resurfaced. “You think gifts will mend a broken heart? It doesn’t,” I glared at him. The sadness in his eyes won’t help with how he made me feel. “You have no idea what I went through after you broke up with me. It won’t be that easy to just walk back into my life.”
“Please, I made a terrible mistake. I should’ve listened to your suggestions but…” he ran a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. I will do anything to get you back. I’m finally getting back on track with your father. He seems to be okay with us.”
“What? My father is okay with us being together after the heartache you caused me?” I asked, stunned.
“Yes, we went to the bar to talk. He understands us because he has someone that is your age that he wants to pursue,” I nodded as I wondered who that might be.
“This doesn’t change a thing,” I replied.
“Elona, please. You are killing me over here,” he said as I turned away from him, but I could see his reflection in the mirror. “Tell me what I can do to make things better and what I can do to get you back. I will not stop until you are in my life again. The dream of getting married.” he was really desperate.
“Nothing, Tristan. Our ship had sailed the moment you broke up with me. You say that I’m killing you, but that is exactly what you did to me,” I gripped the edge of the dresser and my fantasy flashed in my mind. I need to pull it together.
“I won’t give up on us. When Maggie told me that she was pregnant, I had to be okay with the fact that I was going to be a father again, the past emotions that I had to deal with when Estelle died with our unborn baby. It was a lot for me. I wished that I had a baby with you instead of that woman who I despise… those were my wishes when I thought all of that was true. I desperately longed for that with you but when I found out that she lied to me, I was relieved. She wanted to trap me. Now, I’m here begging.”
I closed my eyes as emotions resurfaced of what happened in my life that he nor Cris or even Spooky knew about. What would he do if he found out that in the time he was with the woman who lied to him about having his baby, I lost ours? I sucked in a breath as tears stung the back of my eyes, Cris’ words were back in my mind. I guess her dream was shattered at the loss of a happy family. If she only knew what happened in my life. I sucked in a deep breath, and then I stood up straight.
“May I help unzip your top?” he asked softly, yet hesitant. I watched him in the mirror as he watched me too. I looked over my shoulder.
“If you don’t mind,” I replied.
“I can see that you’re hurting, and it’s because of me. I understand that. I also don’t want Mr Monroe to be touching you inappropriately. He is your teacher. There are consequences for that.” I felt Tristan’s warmth against my skin, grazing it as he pulled the zip further down. Sending goosebumps throughout my body. “I want to be the only one to touch you.” he continued to graze my skin with his touch all the way down my spine, and he literally sent shivers down my spine.
“Thank you,” I said over my shoulder as I pulled away from him as I held my top in place. “Can you please leave?” I asked as I turned to face him. “I need to change into comfortable clothes.”
“I’ve already seen you naked,” he replied.
“We are no longer together and I need my privacy. So, please leave.” I held his gaze. My emotions were a mixture of longing and hurt. Mostly that he doesn’t know about what we lost. The more I held his gaze, the sadness in them, the more I thought about that loss. Tears stung the back of my eyes. I tried to blink away the tears that now threatened to spill, but it was too late, one lone tear ran down my cheek. I tried to hold it together. He became more concerned and defeated just watching me shed tears.
“Elona-”
“Please, just leave,” My voice broke.
He looked as if someone had stolen something away from him. His emotions became more visible. “If you need me, you know where to find me,” he said, sadness laced his voice. He was holding it together too as his eyes glazed over. He turned and walked towards the door. I watched as he left and closed the door behind him.
I wiped the tears away with the back of my hands, slipping the straps of my top off my shoulder and discarding the top onto the chair as I reached for my t-shirt. This was more difficult than I thought of dealing with the loss. Even staring at Tristan reminds me of it.
Once I changed into comfortable clothes, I took my backpack and left my dressing room. As I walked down the hallway and turned the corner, Maxime approached me. “I want you to keep your hands off Oliver,” she snarled at me.
I was taken aback, “There is nothing going on between us.” I tried to reassure her.
“He is my boyfriend, so don’t get any ideas, because I will deal with you myself. Stay with Tristan,” she hissed as she shoved me out of the way. As I lost my balance, my shoulder came into contact with the wall, and she walked past me.
I regained my composure, standing up straight. I didn’t know that she was dating Mr Monroe. What makes it worse is that Mr Monroe was in my fantasy.
I better stay out of Maxime’s way because who knows what she might be capable of as a bully. I had my fair share with Grace, at least she kept her distance from me after that camp we were on together. That day I perhaps lost it. Tristan was nowhere in sight as I continued to make my way towards the exit. I don’t know what to do about him. I still love him deeply, but can I ever give him a second chance after what happened?