Page 42 of Return To You

Reluctantly, when I know he’s deeply settled, I slowly stand and walk over to his crib. I peel back his cloud sheets and gently lay him down, giving him the bear stuffie Noah gave me back when things were good.

Diego grabs it instantly in his sleep, and I smile. I bend down a little and lean against the side of the crib to watch him for a minute.

I’ve done everything I can for this boy. No matter the cost, I ensured he had everything he needed, even if it meant I didn’t eat for the night. Yes, most of his stuff is secondhand, but it’s all in good condition. The only thing I bought new was the crib. It's dark oak and cost me nearly all of my savings, but it’s worth it because it turns into a toddler bed, which will come in handy.

Lightly, I stroke Diego’s messy red hair out of his face, taking in his sleeping features.

He’s looking more and more like Noah by the day, despite having my hair color and freckles, and it hurts because I miss that man so much. Seeing him after trying to lock him in a box has just opened a can of worms I can’t seem to close again.

Why did he do this to us?

We could have been so happy right now, not struggling day by day, crying myself to sleep at night, or well, I could have been. I thought I meant something to him, that he had loved me as much as I loved him.

I’d somehow convinced myself that he got scared by how hurt he must have felt seeing that photo. I made excuses for him until yesterday, when I broke down and decided to put his name in the search engine online.

The man I fell in love with is well and truly gone.

He’s been living it up, partying, dating, and making a name for himself. There are several photos of him cozying up with women all over him.

Over the two years, there was a rumor going around that he was married, and to this day, people swear he is because of his lyrics, and then others deny it because he’s dated them and bedded them.

I must have been the only one completely and unconditionally in love, because the thought of letting another man even place his lips near my ear makes me want to retch.

My phone ringing from the living room snaps me out of it, and I carefully kiss Diego’s head before leaving his room, ensuring his nightlight is on.

I run to where my phone is charging and grab it, only to sigh and see an unknown number. Instantly, I know it’s my dad.

After he unblocked me to reach me, I blocked him. Since then, he’s been calling me on private numbers, so I can’t block any numbers he calls me from.

Shaking my head, I answer it, but before I can chew him out for giving Alejandro and Noah the addresses to my jobs, he speaks up.

“Look, my Little Rose, I know you’re probably mad at me, and I wouldn’t blame you, but Al, he wanted to make amends, and if I’m honest, I was hoping you’d kick him where the sun doesn’t shine for allowing Vanessa to hit you.” I can’t help the snort as he sighs. “Vanessa is banned from the property and the business until further notice. I didn’t know she hit you while youwere pregnant, Rose. I would have set her straight immediately if I had known.”

I twitch my nose, trying to control my emotions, and whisper, “You gave me an ultimatum and basically kicked me out, Dad. Everyone thought the photo was the reason.”

“I know,” he admits, “but I’m going to make it right. I’m going to ensure people know I tried to force you into an abortion because of my fears.”

I shake my head, wiping the fallen tears, not knowing what to say to his words, so much hurt, anger, and resentment still overwhelming me.

“Dad,” I start, but he cuts me off.

“Noah believes you had a child with someone else,” he quickly says, and I sit down in shock, and stutter, “Wha…what?”

Dad clears his throat. “Gina was in Fremont visiting a college last year, the same college she not so shockingly got kicked out of after being caught in an intimate position with a professor.” I blink and nod, not at all shocked by that, and Dad continues, “I spoke to Noah, sweetheart. He mentioned Gina. She called and claimed to have seen you, and told him you were four months pregnant; you gave birth not long after her visit.”

I scoff. “So he believed his sister,again….”

I can’t help the anger in my voice. That’s twice he’s done this to me, twice he’s listened to his sister, allowing her to destroy us.

I get it; she’s his blood, his little sister, and I’d understand him taking her word if she was sweet, kind, andinnocent, but she’s not; she’s a bitch and a lying whore!

“Sweetheart, I get it. I do. You have every right to be upset, to feel hurt. I, your brother, Vanessa, we all turned against you, and the one person you thought you could rely on, who promised you always and forever, broke you; he listened to someone who has tried to split you up for years, and left, cutting you off, even though your life revolved around each other.”

I wipe away the angry tears. "Dad, I just can’t; it’s all too much….”

He interjects, “You're hurt, you're angry and upset, and you have every right to be. You get to be mad, you get to lash out, but sweetheart, he….” My dad sighs, and then admits, “He asked for your hand in marriage on prom night….”

More tears fall, and I shake my head and whisper, “And yet he left me, believing an innocent photo.”

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