Chapter 60 Secrets That Push Him Away
Back at Rowan's house. Amanda had retired to her room out of anger. Rowan decided to check in on her. Rowan knocked gently on Amanda's bedroom door, concerned about how she was feeling.
"Amanda," he called out, "can I come in?"
Amanda, still trying to calm her racing thoughts, hesitated for a moment before replying, "Yeah, sure, come in."
Rowan slowly opened the door and entered her room, finding her sitting on the edge of the bed, her face buried in her hands. He walked over and sat down beside her, placing his hand on her back.
"Amanda, I'm sorry about what happened downstairs," Rowan began, his voice filled with sympathy. "I didn't expect Wilson to show up like that." Amanda nodded.
"But you see, he is my brother and I can't be mad at him forever, not when he comes at me like that asking for forgiveness." Rowan continued. He found it difficult to interpret Amanda's expression but he continued.
"I know you are still pissed at him for hitting on you at the dinner with my parents and…" Amanda interrupted him.
"It is not just that" she snapped.
"What is it then?" Rowan asked. "He teased you about the baby and there is no baby"
Amanda sighed in frustration. "It is nothing like that, okay? Only if you knew "
"Then tell me!" Rowan exclaimed. "Let me know what is going on. Tell me why you said to my face that my brother isn't welcomed in my house."
Amanda looked up, her eyes filled with tears. "It's not that easy, it's complicated."
Rowan sighed, realizing the weight of the situation. "Fine, it's complicated like you said, Amanda but we can handle it together. I care about you and of course my brother, we can sort this out, the differences, whatever it takes."
Amanda wiped away a tear and managed a weak smile. "I know you do, Rowan. It's just... I" She hesitated for a moment, and then continued, "I can't tell you, Rowan."
Rowan was growing increasingly frustrated with Amanda's refusal to explain the source of her anger and reluctance to accept Wilson's apology. He had been understanding and patient but Amanda's mysterious behavior was beginning to wear on his nerves.
"Rowan" Amanda called out softly when she noticed the frustration on his face.
Rowan stood up from the bed and paced around the room, his voice strained. "Amanda, I've been trying to be patient and understanding but this secrecy is driving me insane. If something is bothering you, you need to communicate it. We can't resolve anything if you won't talk to me."
"I'm sorry, Rowan" Amanda looked down, feeling guilty for keeping the truth from him, but her anxiety and fear of how Rowan might react if he knew everything kept her silent.
"Are you really not going to say anything? I can't help you if you don't open up. I care about you, but I can't fix something I don't understand."
Amanda gave him a look that told him she was not ready to say anything. Rowan let out an exasperated sigh, running a hand through his hair. Without saying anything else, he turned and left the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts and her guilt.
"Rowan! Rowan!" Amanda called as he walked away but he didn't respond.
By the time she thought she should go after Rowan, he was nowhere to be found.
"Where is Rowan?" She asked Anna.
"He left just now. He didn't tell you?" Anna responded. Amanda shook her head. "And he seemed really angry." Anna quickly added.
"Did he go with anyone?" Amanda asked.
"No, his security men are in the house. He was holding his car key which means he would be driving too" Anna responded.
"
Amanda was sitting on a bench at the balcony waiting for Rowan. Anna had pleaded with her several times to go in because it was already late but she refused. She had tried to reach Rowan several times but he did not pick up her calls.
"Amanda, it's almost 11, I think you should go to bed," Anna said for the fifth time.
"I will, but that will be after he is back," Amanda responded. Seeing that there was nothing she could do to change her mind, Anna retired.
Amanda decided to use her waiting time to reach out to her mother and kids. "Mother," she called out softly when her mother picked up the call.
"Are you alright?" Mrs. Roberts asked immediately.
"Yes," what about you? How are you coping with the kids?"
"We are alright" Mrs Roberts responded, excited. "Contrary to what we expected, this place is heaven. The house is really nice. I think Wills is too wealthy for a cop."
"Detective," Amanda exclaimed. She chuckled softly.
"Whatever, but this place is great. The kids love it here. They have been going around, happy. I also prefer it to our house in the city. There is everything we need here." Mrs. Roberts explained.
"Not to spoil your joy, but may I remind you that you are just going to be there for a while," Amanda said, still chuckling.
"Then we better make every minute worth it." Her mother exclaimed. Amanda didn't respond. They were both quiet for a while.
"Okay, let it out. I can tell you are worried as hell and if you are going to be talking to anyone, that should be me" Mrs Roberts said.
Amanda sighed. She wanted to talk but she bursted into tears instead. "Amanda," her mother said softly, it's alright."
"I don't know why my past keeps haunting me. It keeps putting me down." Amanda exclaimed.
"What is it?" Mrs. Roberts asked.
"I met Wilson," Amanda responded.
"Wilson?" Her mother asked. The name did ring a bell but she struggled with identifying the person with the name.
"Wilson, my ex" Amanda helped her.
"Oh, Wilson. So what has he done this time?" Mrs. Roberts asked.
"He is Rowan's brother." Amanda continued.
Confused, Mrs. Roberts asked. "What are you even saying? How is that possible?"
"Mother, I am telling you. I met him at dinner with Rowan's parents. We pretended like all was well because I didn't want them to know we had a history." Amanda explained. She resumed her sobbing but softly.
"Why am I just getting this information?" Mrs. Roberts asked.
"Because I thought that was all until Wilson came to threaten me. He wants me to leave Rowan and come back to him. I didn't agree. Now he has reconciled with his brother and has access to the house, I am certain he did that to have access to me." Amanda cried out.
"Slow down." Her mother said, trying to catch up with the information. "You mean he threatened you under Rowan's nose? Are you sure you are safe there?"
"Rowan does not know what he is up to. He can't possibly shut his brother out because I said so." Amanda exclaimed.
"Then tell him," Her mother responded.
"No mother, I can't. I can't tell him I dated his brother. That would ruin my chances of being with him before it even starts." She responded.
"And you think that would not get ruined when he finds out the truth." Mrs. Roberts replied. "See, if the truth ever gets out, he deserves to hear it from you. Stop thinking about what he would do when he finds out, start thinking about what he would do when he finds out you have been keeping things from him."
Amanda sighed. "I know it's not easy but you have to do it." Mrs. Roberts concluded. Amanda nodded as if her mother could see her. She was about to continue the conversation when she heard Adora's voice.
"Hello mummy," she said excitedly in her tiny voice.
"Hello baby" Amanda responded. She was expecting to hear her baby's cute voice but instead, it was a stern voice that interjected. She removed the phone that clung to her ear, wondering what was going on.
She soon realized the voice did not come from the phone but behind her. She turned immediately and her eyes locked with Rowan's.
"Baby?" Rowan asked.