Linford’s apartment was massive. Cody thus answered without any hesitation, “Sounds cool.”
Enzo stood up, “Cody seems like he wants to stay with us tonight, Linford. Is that okay for Mrs. Bradley?”
Mrs. Bradley? Cody frowned, “Uncle, Mom, and Dad are not like…”
“Sure,” Linford cut the boy off timely, “I’m bringing his pajamas and clothes to the next door soon. You guys go first.”
Cody didn’t like Linford. But he was fond of Enzo. Cristelle also didn’t know how that math worked. And she was a bit speechless because she was just called “Mrs. Bradley” a minute ago…
“Explain this to your brother a bit, will you? I mean…. he should know our real relationship,” Cristelle handed Cody’s changing clothes to Linford, “I’ve been informed that there will be a parent meeting in the kindergarten tomorrow. Don’t let Cody stay up too late.”
Linford took over those clothes.
Their real relationship?
He found he couldn’t take it anymore. He thought it was time to resolve some subtle problems tonight.
He put the clothes on the sofa on the couch of his apartment and walked out again.
****
After bathing Candace and tucking her in, Cristelle walked into the bathroom again, not knowing her apartment door had been opened again. Cristelle only wanted to go to bed after this long day. She slumped onto the sofa, but she bumped into a hard chest. When she realized she was sitting on a man’s lap, a big hand pressed on her stomach and pulled her in.
“Who the heck are–”
“Shush!” A strong hand covered her mouth instantly, “It’s me, Cristelle. You will wake up our daughter.”
“Let go of me!” Cristelle bit into his hand and pushed him away, “Are you a fucking psycho?! What the heck are you doing here? Get out!”
Linford fell back and reclined on the sofa, “Enzo can’t get used to sharing the same apartment with me.”
“Do I look like an idiot to you?” Cristelle hissed, throwing a pillow at him, “Enzo is a soldier, and you tell me he can’t stay in the same space with another man? Get out of my house if you don’t want to piss me off, Linford!”
Linford looked up. The woman was wearing a thin nightgown, damp against her skin and showing her curves. Her face was deliciously blushed.
Linford swallowed.
He cleared his throat, “I’m here to tuck in my daughter.”
“Candace is asleep right now. Are you kidding me?” Cristelle pulled at the handle of her closet, grabbing her clothes and ready to leave, “You’re full of bullshit.”
She walked directly to the door, but she couldn’t yank it open. “What the heck… Why is the door locked? Where’s my key?”
Linford shrugged, “Don’t know. Broken, probably.”
“Linford Bradley? Do you think I’m like 3? Leave my apartment, or I’ll call the police!” Cristelle threw the clothes onto the ground and started to search for her phone, but the drawer was empty, “Where’s my phone? Where did you put it?!”
Linford frowned. He had seen a pretty boring message on her phone before. He had deleted it without a second thought, hiding the phone up afterward, “Dunno. Where did you put it?”
“You! You’re such a bastard! What do you want?!” Cristelle was so scared that her voice started to tremble.
Linford stood up and sauntered toward Cristelle as if he had all the time in the world, “You want me to explain our relationship, right? I am the babies’ father, and you’re the babies’ mother. Isn’t it clear already what relationship we’re in? Hmm?”
He kept approaching until he forced Cristelle into a corner. Cristelle could feel his mint-hot breath against her cheek. He lowered his head as if he wanted to kiss her.
Cristelle was so pissed off. She lowered her head and covered the left of her chest, frowning, “Ow… It hurts…”
Linford took a step back instantly, “Are you okay? Do you need meds? Where are they?”
Cristelle pointed at her desk, “Under that drawer.”
Linford turned away to find the meds. Cristelle, however, grabbed the glass on the table and was ready to throw it at his head. But the man was fast enough to grab her arm.
“Are you trying to kill your husband, Cristelle?” Linford frowned.
“What the he- Hm!” Before Cristelle could finish her words, Linford’s kiss sealed her lips.
“Hm! Let me…” Cristelle tried to push him away, but the kiss only got fiercer. His strong arms tightened around her waist. Cristelle hummed as her back collided with the wall.
Cristelle felt both scared and humiliated. She couldn’t even move because Linford was too strong. She suddenly recalled that night years ago. It was like a nightmare. The pain… the shame still made her tremble when she thought back to that night. Her face was instantly covered in tears.
Linford tasted the salt, and he became sober instantly. He pulled away, “Cristelle… Don’t… Don’t cry. I’m sorry.”
Cristelle wiped her face with the back of her hand, hissing, “Get out! Get… Out!”
Linford didn’t want to leave, but he also didn’t know how to make her feel better. He didn’t know what to do anymore. Cristelle was the love of his life, but he felt like an idiot whenever he needed to face her. He hadn’t even been this nervous when he had to fight a war.
“Cristelle… I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” He didn’t know what to say anymore.
Cristelle pushed his hand away, refusing to make any eye contact with him, “Get out!”
“Okay… I’ll leave… Just… Calm down,” Linford could only do as she said.
Cristelle slumped on the carpet as the door was finally closed. She wiped her tears and locked the door of her bedroom before drifting into a shallow sleep, holding her daughter tightly in her arms.
She thought Linford was a gentleman, but he was an animal after all.
****
Cody hurried to get up from his bed the next morning. He had been neglecting a lot last night. When he saw Linford in the living room, he finally relaxed. It seemed like Linford had spent the night on the couch.
The boy huffed sarcastically. Linford pretended he didn’t hear that getting up from the couch and putting his shirt on, “We’ve got a meeting in your kindergarten today. Dress up, and don’t be late.”
Candace also came to visit at the moment. She rubbed her eyes as she walked toward Linford in her new dress.