Chapter 26.
Andrianne’s heart began to race and her chest tightened as she tried to catch her breath. She felt like the walls were closing in on her and she couldn’t escape. She tried to calm herself down, but her mind was racing, and she couldn’t focus on anything.
Steve noticed that Andrianne was having a panic attack and quickly rushed to her side. He held her in his arms and whispered words of reassurance to her, telling her that everything was going to be okay. Andrianne struggled to breathe, tears streaming down her face as she clung to Steve.
Andrianne was still in shock after what had happened. She couldn’t believe that the man she had just spent the night with was her first love. The man she thought she had left behind forever. The man who had broken her heart and left her shattered.
As Steve tried to explain himself, Andrianne could feel the panic rising inside of her. She tried to control her breathing, but it was no use. She was having a full-blown panic attack.
Her chest tightened and she struggled to take in air. Her heart raced and she felt dizzy. She collapsed onto the bed and clutched at her chest, trying to find some way to make it stop.
Andrianne was still in shock after what had happened. She couldn’t believe that the man she had just spent the night with was her first love. The man she thought she had left behind forever. The man who had broken her heart and left her shattered.
After a few minutes, Andrianne’s panic attack had subsided, and she was able to pull away from Steve. She wiped away her tears and looked up at him, grateful for his support.
As Andrianne rushed towards the door, Steve tried to stop her. “Andrianne, please don’t leave. I’m sorry for everything that happened. I never meant to hurt you,” he said.
Andrianne turned around to face him. “You never meant to hurt me? How can you even say that?” she replied, her voice rising.
“I know I hurt you. But please, give me a chance to make it up to you. I want to explain everything to you,” Steve pleaded.
Andrianne hesitated for a moment, then sighed. “Fine. But this is your last chance. Explain everything, and I mean everything,” she said.
Steve took a deep breath and began to explain. He told Andrianne about how he had been struggling to make ends meet after they broke up, and how he had been forced to take on a dangerous job to make ends meet. He also explained how he had always regretted what had happened between them and had hoped to see her again someday.
Andrianne listened quietly as Steve spoke, but she was still upset. “I don’t know if I can forgive you,” she said after he finished. “You put your own life in danger, and for what? Money? Was it worth it?”
Steve looked down at the ground. “No, it wasn’t worth it. I was desperate. I know that’s no excuse. But please, give me a chance to make it up to you. Let me show you that I’m a better person now.”
Andrianne thought for a moment, then nodded. “Okay. I don’t know what to say right now, I don’t have the right words to say. But I can’t stay here right now. I need to think,” she said.
Steve nodded, understanding. “I’ll give you some space. But please, Andrianne, don’t disappear again. I need to know that you’re safe,” he said.
Andrianne turned around to face him. “You never meant to hurt me? How can you even say that?” she replied, her voice rising.
Andrianne looked at him for a moment, then turned and walked out the door. As she walked down the street, she couldn’t help but feel conflicted. A part of her wanted to believe that Steve had changed, but another part of her was still hurt by what he had done. She didn’t know if she could ever fully trust him again.
As Andrianne left Steve’s house, she felt a sense of loss and confusion. She had been so sure that she was over him and their past, but the emotions she felt when she saw him again had completely overwhelmed her. She tried to shake it off and focus on getting back to her car at the bar, but the thoughts of Steve kept creeping back into her mind.
The streets were quiet as she drove back home, her thoughts still consumed with memories of her past with Steve. She couldn’t help but think about how things could have been different if they had stayed together, or if they had ended things on better terms. But she also knew that those were just empty what-if scenarios, and that the reality of their past was far more complicated.
Andrianne opened the door to her house and saw Lucas sitting on the couch, looking visibly worried. “Hey, you’re back,” he said, getting up and walking towards her. “Where were you last night? I called you so many times.”
Andrianne just shrugged and walked past him towards the kitchen. “I went out with some friends,” she said, pouring herself a glass of water. “I told you I’d be out late.”
Lucas followed her into the kitchen. “I know, but you didn’t answer any of my calls or texts. I was really worried about you.”
Andrianne turned to face him, annoyance evident on her face. “I’m a grown adult, Lucas. I can take care of myself. I don’t need you to worry about me.”
Lucas frowned. “I know you can take care of yourself, but I care about you. I just want to make sure you’re safe.”
Andrianne rolled her eyes. “I’m fine, okay? Can we just drop it?”
Lucas sighed and nodded. “Okay, I’m just glad you’re back.”
Andrianne nodded back, not saying anything. She knew she was being cold towards Lucas, but she couldn’t help it. She was still reeling from the events of the night before and her encounter with Steve. She needed time to process everything and figure out how she felt.
She walked past Lucas and went up to her room, closing the door behind her. She sat down on her bed and let out a deep sigh. She knew she couldn’t keep avoiding Lucas forever, but she just didn’t know how to face him after everything that had happened.