Chapter 71 More complicated

Chapter 71 More complicated
Gina shifted slightly on the couch, watching April’s expression as she debated how to start. This was going to be tricky. 
She knew how much April had been through, and the last thing she wanted was to bring up something that would upset her. 
But at the same time, she had promised Richard she would at least try.
April, still sitting beside her in her cozy pajamas, took another bite of her food, unaware of the conversation that was about to take a turn.
Gina took a deep breath. “April, I need to tell you something.”
April glanced at her, raising an eyebrow at Gina’s serious tone. “What is it?”
“It’s about Richard.”
April immediately tensed. Her hand froze mid-air as she was about to take another bite, and her face hardened. “What about him? Hope there’s nothing wrong?”
Gina hesitated for a second, then decided to just get straight to the point. “There’s nothing wrong, April. He came to see me earlier today.”
April frowned, lowering her spoon. “Why?”
“He asked me to talk to you.”
April let out a short, humorless laugh. “Talk to me? About what?”
Gina sighed. “He wants you to forgive him.”
April’s expression didn’t change for a moment, then she blinked, staring at Gina as if waiting for her to say she was joking. 
“That’s funny,” she finally said, shaking her head. “A really weird joke.”
Gina shook her head. “I’m serious, April.”
April leaned back against the couch, crossing her arms. “So, let me get this straight. Richard—my ex-husband, the same man who treated me like I was invisible for years, suddenly realizes he loves me and now wants me back?”
Gina bit her lip, knowing how ridiculous it sounded when put that way. “I know how it sounds, but yes.”
April scoffed. “Wow. That’s really convenient for him, isn’t it?”
“I get why you feel that way,” Gina admitted. “And honestly, I wasn’t sure if I should even bring it up. But Richard—he seemed different, April. I mean, I’ve never seen him like that before. He looked… desperate.”
April shook her head, laughing again. “Desperate? Gina, do you remember how miserable I was in that marriage? Do you remember how many nights I cried myself to sleep while he stayed out, not even caring whether I was okay or not?”
“I remember,” Gina said softly.
“And I won’t make excuses for him. He wasn’t a good husband to you, April. But—” she hesitated before continuing, “—your marriage wasn’t exactly built on love. It was an arrangement, wasn’t it?”
April’s lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn’t argue.
“I’m not saying that makes what he did right,” Gina continued carefully.
“But if we’re being honest, Richard was never expected to love you. He married you because he had to. And now, for the first time, he’s realizing that he actually does love you.”
April let out a deep sigh, rubbing her temples. “It’s too late for that.”
“Maybe,” Gina agreed. “But maybe not. I mean, think about it, April. You’ve been back for a while now, and he hasn’t been able to stay away from you. You must have noticed.”
April stayed silent, staring at the floor.
“I know you don’t want to believe it,” Gina said gently, “but I think he’s being genuine.”
April looked up, her expression unreadable. “Even if he is, it doesn’t change anything. I’ve moved on, Gina. I don’t want to go back to that life.”
Gina reached for her hand. “I’m not asking you to go back, April. Just… think about it.”
April sighed again, pulling her hand away and running it through her hair. “Fine. I’ll think about it. But that doesn’t mean I’ll change my mind.”
Gina smiled slightly. “That’s all I ask.”
They sat in silence for a moment before April shook her head again, muttering under her breath, “Unbelievable.”
The next morning, the house was filled with the sounds of movement as Gina helped April get Kai and Tai ready for school.
“Tai, hurry up and put your shoes on,” Gina called from the kitchen as she packed their lunchboxes.
“I’m trying, but it won’t fit!” Tai whined from the hallway.
Kai sighed dramatically. “That’s because you’re putting them on the wrong feet, dummy.”
“I’m not a dummy!” Tai shot back.
April, who had just walked out of her bedroom in a crisp blouse and trousers, glanced at the two of them and shook her head. “Tai, switch your shoes. Kai, be nice to your sister.”
Kai smirked. “She started it.”
Gina chuckled as she zipped up the lunch bags. “You two are a handful.”
Once they were finally dressed and ready, April grabbed her car keys. “I’ll drop them off on my way to the hospital.”
Gina waved a hand. “Actually, let me do it. You barely got any rest last night.”
April hesitated. “Are you sure?”
“Of course,” Gina said. “You deserve a little break, even if it’s just a short one.”
April smiled. “Thanks, Gina.”
Just as she was about to sit down for a quick cup of coffee, her phone rang.
She glanced at the screen. It was the hospital.
Frowning, she answered. “Dr. Harrington speaking.”
“Dr. Harrington, we have an emergency. A patient has just been rushed in from a severe accident. We need you here as soon as possible.”
April’s stomach tightened. “I’m on my way.”
She hung up and immediately stood. “I have to go. There’s an emergency at the hospital.”
Gina nodded. “Don’t worry about the kids. I’ll drop them off.”
April gave her a grateful look before grabbing her coat and heading out the door.
As she drove to the hospital, her mind was racing. She wasn’t sure if it was the lack of sleep, the conversation with Gina last night, or the sudden call, but everything felt like a blur.
One thing was certain—between Nick’s threats, Richard’s sudden confession, and her demanding job, her life had suddenly become a lot more complicated.