CHAPTER 028
AVA’S POV
The drive home was quiet. Too quiet. So I looked out of the window, watching the streetlights blur past, as my mind raced.
I didn’t know what hurt more – the fact that Jason didn’t defend me against Laura, or the sinking fear that maybe I wasn’t enough for him anymore.
But Grandpa’s words seemed to have hit him. Maybe that’s why he stayed so silent.
When we finally got home, Jason broke the silence. “Ava, please wait.”
I stopped at the door and turned around, arms crossed over my chest. “What?”
He ran a hand through his hair, frustration on his face. “I’m sorry. For tonight. For not standing up for you. I just… I don’t know what I was thinking.”
–
His voice sounded genuine. And for a second, I saw a flicker of the Jason I married the one who used to care so much about my feelings. But the hurt he’d caused still lingered.
“You… didn’t even hesitate,” I said, my voice cracking. “You just let her lie about me, Jason. You didn’t try to stop her. You just… stared at me like I was the villain.”
“And now you want my forgiveness?”
He stepped closer, his face filled with regret. “You’re right. I should’ve done something. I should’ve trusted you. I messed up, Ava. And I hate myself for it.”
I turned away, blinking back the tears. “Do you even trust me? Or are you still hung up on Laura?“.
Jason’s eyes widened, and he quickly reached for my hands, holding them gently. “Ava, no. I’m not hung up on Laura. She doesn’t matter to me. You do.”
He paused, his grip tightening. “I trust you. I swear. I just handled it wrong.
I looked at him, searching his face for the truth. His voice softened. “I’ll fix this. Please, let me make it right.‘
I thought about the little one growing inside me and decided to give his father another chance, for his sake, so I nodded. “Okay.”
We went upstairs together, the tension still there but somehow lighter. Jason shut the bedroom door and turned to face me. His eyes held a tenderness I hadn’t seen in weeks.
“I hate that I hurt you,” he said, stepping closer. I could feel his warm breath. His hand brushed my cheek, sending a shiver down my spine.
“It’s not just tonight, Jason,” I said, my voice cracking. “You’ve been different. Ever since Laura came back into your life.”
He sighed deeply, the guilt clear on his face. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I let her affect me like this.”
“I’ve been letting my guilt over what happened to her parents because of my family control me, giving her more attention and trying to make up for the past. And that’s not fair to you. I’ll fix this Ava. I promise.”
He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. And for the first time in so long, I felt his warmth. It was exactly what I needed… what the baby needed. But deep down, I couldn’t let my guard down yet.
He whispered into my hair, “I should’ve fought for us, for you.”
CHAPTER 028
+25 BONUS
I nodded my head, too overwhelmed with emotions to utter any words. He grasped me more firmly as if he feared I would escape if he released me.
Briefly, there was a sense that things might return to being okay.
He slightly retreated, gazing into my eyes. “Ava, may I ask you something?”
I became tense. “What’s that?”
He spoke with uncertainty in his voice. “I’m considering… should we attempt to conceive a child?”
The question struck me like a blow to the chest. My breath ceased. Did he really want a baby… now?
I was still uncertain if the shifts in our relationship were genuine, which made it difficult to confess that I was pregnant.
“I… I’m not sure,” I stuttered. “Our relationship is just improving. I cannot consider that at this moment.”
Jason gave a nod, his face becoming more gentle. “I understand. I am willing to go along with whatever you desire. If we ever have a baby, I will be a great dad. I give you my word.”
I was left breathless by what he said. I wanted to inform him, yet fear silenced me.
He slid his hands to my waist pulling me closer until there was no gap between us. I could feel his heart beating against my chest and the heat radiating from his body.
His lips parted slightly, and I felt his breath against my lips making my body heat up.
I closed my eyes as his lips crashed onto mine.
I couldn’t remember the last time we kissed and my hormones surged.
I kiss him back deepening it, moaning softly in between our lips. My hands slid up to his neck, threading through his hair.
His body was solid against mine, and for a moment I let myself get lost in the feeling.
I wanted him, wanted to forget everything else and just enjoy this moment.
He moved his lips to my neck, trailing his fingers around my body.
Damn! I wanted him so badly.
But then as his hand moved lower, I pulled back. “Jason, wait.”
His brow furrowed. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m… on my period,” I blurted out.
I hated that I had to lie, but what else could I do?
Jason’s expression softened. “Okay. That’s fine.”
He pulled me back into his arms, and I let myself lean into him. “Let’s just stay like this,” he murmured.
I felt tears well up in my eyes and quickly buried my face in his chest.
We lay down together, his arms wrapped around me. As we cuddled in bed, I felt torn between guilt and comfort.
How long could I keep my pregnancy hidden from him? And would things really change between us, or was this just another fragile moment of hope?
2/2
C
