Chapter 65 Chapter 65

Chapter 65 Chapter 65


Carter

Immediately I stepped into the house, I could sense the tension in the air. 

Mila was sitting on the couch, her eyes fixed on the TV, but her expression told a different story. She looked moody and worried, her brow furrowed, and her lips pursed. 

Something must have happened while I was away, but what? Hopefully, it wasn't what I was thinking.

"Mila," I called, her attention shifted to me, a smile tugged at the corner of her lips but I know it was fake. 

I inhaled and walk  closer to her. "What's wrong?" I asked, sitting down beside her.

She sighed heavily, turning to look at me. "I walked in on Tessa and Jasmine arguing earlier," she explained, her voice laced with concern.

My heart skipped a beat; I knew this would happen but not too soon.

"What happened?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant and pretending I have no idea.

"I don't know," Mila replied. "Tessa wouldn't tell me what was wrong. She just rushed to her room and locked herself in."

I felt a pang of guilt, knowing I was the reason for their argument.

"Did you try talking to her? Maybe she can open up?" I asked, attempting to play it cool.

"Yes, I tried," she said, "But she refused to come out of her room, I knock until my knuckles become tired" she replied. 

I frowned, feeling worried. What could Jasmine have told her?

"Hold on, let me go talk to her," I said, standing up.

"Be gentle with her, she looks really upset," Mila advised, placing a hand on my arm.

I nodded, knowing Mila was right.

I walked to Tessa's room, unable to shake off the feeling of unease. I knew Jasmine was furious about our relationship, and I worried she'd have said something to hurt Tessa's Pride. 

I knocked on the door, but there was no response.

"Tessa, please open up," I said softly. "We need to talk."

The door remained shut, but I could sense her presence on the other side.

"Tessa, I know what's going on," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I know Jasmine must have said something to upset you. Please open the door, let's talk about it." My voice was barely above a whisper. 

There was a pause, and then I could hear the sound of her wailing from inside.

That hurt me more, knowing I was fully responsible for this mess. I should have thought it through before pursuing Tessa, considering my daughter's presence. Why did I have to cause all these problems?

"Tessa, you know Mila is around; I can't make noise. Please, just open the door and let's converse," I pleaded, trying to appease her. But she wouldn't budge. This grew my frustration widely. 

A loud sigh escaped my lips, frustration etched on my face. I wondered what Jasmine had said to Tessa. I didn't want anything to hurt her.

I turned and walked away, defeated, and headed to the sitting room. Immediately, Mila heard my footsteps, she turned to look at me with concern etched on her face.

"Didn't she open the door?" Mila asked, her brow furrowed.

I shook my head, feeling helpless. "She refused to open the door." I answered. 

Mila's shoulders fell in disappointment.

"Don't worry about her," I reassured, trying to sound confident. "I'll make sure to talk to her." I added. 

But honestly, I had no idea how to fix this, it look so puzzled. 

"I'll be in my room now," I said, turning to leave.

I walked to my room with my head hung low, feeling defeated. I fell onto the bed tiredly, my hand rubbing my forehead angrily.

"How did things get this complicated?" I thought.

Jasmine might keep quiet for now, but I knew she wouldn't resist speaking her mind, especially since she still lived under the same roof as me now. The thought sent a shiver down my spine.

I closed my eyes, feeling overwhelmed.

"What have I done?" I whispered to myself.

The silence from Tessa was deafening, and I knew I had to act fast to repair the damage.

I took off my shirt, heading into the bathroom to take a quick shower, hoping to clear my mind. The warm water cascaded down my body, but my thoughts remained with Tessa.

When I was done, I went to the room to put on a casual dress, my movements mechanical.

I picked up my phone and dialed Tessa's number; it rang for a while, but she didn't pick up. I inhaled loudly, lost for what to do.

"Come on, Tessa, pick up please," I muttered to myself.

I tried the number again, but it was the same thing.

I decided to text her, telling her to pick up the call or open the door, but she refused to reply.

I texted again and again, but it was still the same.

I wonder if she was even holding her phone or just ignoring my text purposely. 

A frustrated breath escaped my lips as I dialed her number again.

Fortunately, she picked up.

"Tessa," I called, my voice laced with relief and concern.

But she remained silent.

"Please, can you open the door? We have to talk physically," I said, trying to calm her down.

"I don't want to see you," she replied, her voice cold and detached. "I just want to be alone. Please stop texting or calling; the sound is giving me a headache." 

With that, she hung up the call, leaving me with wide eyes and an open mouth.

"Is that what she's going to say?" I thought, stunned.

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut.

Her words cut deep, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of rejection.

I sat on the bed, staring blankly at the wall, wondering what I'd done wrong.

I knew I had to give her space, but it was hard.

All I wanted was to make things right.

But how? How will I sort this mess I had put her and myself into.