Page 92 of Mine to Worship

“Perfect,” I answer, capable of uttering just one word.

Every day, her belly gets bigger. It’s surreal as not long ago, we were skin on skin and now our baby grows between us.

She gets sick, but she recovers more quickly, and the baby is healthy in her tiny space.

Ellia cuddles to my side and falls asleep. I scroll through my emails on my phone then I open the chat with the guys.

Kendrick: When are you coming back?

Me: When Ellia wants to.

Jason: Can you believe we’re having a girl?

Me: Not we, I am!

Brandon: Just the same.

My mood plummets. As soon as we leave the chalet, I will have to share her time. I fucking hate it, after so many months of having her for myself.

I get into the kitchen and pour a glass of water. When I return, I find her awake. She tilts her head, gauging my inner turmoil.

“What’s wrong, baby?”

I lower myself on her, supporting myself on my palms, and put my head between her breasts.

“Let’s never leave here.”

“We’re going to be fine,” she says and cups my face.

Months ago, she gave us a deadline and now she’s the one encouraging me to trust.

“Did you pick a date?”

Ellia clasps her hands in excitement. “Two weeks from now. The girls organized a baby shower. And I can’t wait to decorate the baby’s room.”

“Yes, I have some things to do before Kira comes too.”

She nods and caresses my jaw. My clenched muscles relax.

“I need to make peace with my past, but I can’t until I get my revenge.”

“I know,” she says, her lips curling up into a small smile filled with understanding.

Chapter 33

Ellia

The baby is fine, I am feeling better, and we are both strong enough now. I have postponed this conversation for too long. The past won’t control us any longer. I just want it behind us.

I sit up in bed and cross my legs under me, my eyes on Kian “I am ready,” I say.

He doesn’t question me. He believes me when I say it, as if my words carry an unequivocal decision. He drags himself against the headboard, and I entwine our fingers as he starts telling me about his painful past.

“My first memory is of Walter bringing me a teddy bear for Christmas. When he left, Richard threw it in the trash and said only good boys get presents. I remember I asked him how I could be good and he laughed at me. Whenever he would go away for a while, those were my favorite moments. Jillian would take me in her arms and play with me. But every year, those moments became rarer. One night, he came to my room, stinking of liquor and he hit me. He said it was because I had ruined everything.”

I force tears back and squeeze his hand in reassurance. His face remains stoic, only his eyes betray the lingering anguish.

“He bought me this blue bike I desperately wanted the next day and made me promise not to tell Walter. I was just a kid who wanted to be loved, so I promised I wouldn’t tell.” He lets out a disgruntled sound and continues. “I was six when Brandon was born. I was so damn proud that day, being the big brother and all. And they were both so happy. They both hugged me, and Jillian put him in my arms, and I knew, in that instant, that I would do anything for him. Soon after, Richard came to my room, yanked me out of bed and mumbled, “The old bastard thinks he can give you half of what’s mine, but I have you.” Years later, I found out that Walter had changed his will, and I would inherit half of everything.”

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