Page 78 of A Lie so Dangerous and Fragile

Smiling against my lips, he whispered, “I have been dying to do that since I saw you at the park.” He kissed my lips softly, saying, “I really missed you, your defensiveness, the way you glare at me when I annoy you, your nosiness.”

I scoffed and laughed softly.

“I missed every little thing about you. I know I don’t deserve another chance in your heart, but I wanna be a father again,” he said and looked down at my hands that he held. “I don’t know where we stand right now, but I will always be here for you and the kids, I promise,” he said and placed a kiss on my forehead.

I moved closer and put my arms around him. I needed someone to hold me and remind me that I was still human. Tristan pulled me to his lap. I wrapped my legs around his waist and buried my face in his neck while he engulfed me in his arms like I was a baby. I relaxed while Tristan stroked my back, weakening my resolve with every touch.

We called Nora on FaceTime to speak to Kayden, who kept poking the phone and pressing his face to the phone while shouting, “Mommy.”

***

It was very sunny outside when I woke up. Tristan was not in the bed. I looked around and saw his tall form at the balcony, sipping coffee. I wore the hotel robe and joined him at the balcony. His sweats hung low around his waist, and his bare torso glistened under the golden sun.

“Hey.” I poked him, and he turned around with a soft smile.

Putting one arm around my waist, he asked, “Did I wake you up?”

“No. It’s almost eleven.”

“My attorney is on his way here. We have a lot to do.”

“Okay, I will take a quick shower.”

We had breakfast and waited for his lawyer. An hour later, there was a knock on the door. Tristan offered to get the door. A lean man stepped in with a broad grin. His dark hair was combed to the back and his black turtleneck shirt went with his gray tailored suit. A plump lady, who was trying to keep up with his long strides, trailed behind him. She held her tablet tightly as she tried to support his bag and her white designerhandbag in one hand.

“Andrew.” Tristan smiled at him.

“Hope I didn’t keep you waiting,” his baritone voice said.

“It’s fine. Welcome to Cuba.”

We spent the whole day going through some questions Andrew believed the judges might ask us. Since I had the twins here as an immigrant, we had to work out a story for what had happened and why I had come to Cuba.

Andrew left with his secretary after we all had dinner at a restaurant across the hotel. He told us we would continue tomorrow. Tristan called Dr. Mendoza and asked her if she was able to fix a date for us to see Kayla before the court hearing. She promised to give him a call when she was done scheduling the meeting.

***

Tristan dragged me to go for a run with him around five a.m. the next day. I gave up after two minutes and waited for him to finish and take me back.

We received a call from Dr. Mendoza in the evening, informing us to prepare to meet Kayla tomorrow at the agency. It was all Tristan and I talked about the whole night, making guesses about how she would look now, the sound of her voice, and how she would have grown.

***

I spoke to Vina during the ride to the agency. I told her how I was nervous and wasn’t sure Kayla would like me.

“Take a deep breath and put on a smile,” Vina said. “Go get your daughter, Chlo. I’m sure she misses you,” Vina added.

I took a glance at Tristan. He gave a nod as if he agreed with Belvina. I spoke to her the whole ride until the car stopped in front of the building.

“Oh my God, this is really happening,” I whispered to Tristan as we walked into the building, hand in hand.

23

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Heartaches

A YEAR AGO

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