Chapter 96 If Love Were Enough
Rowan, frantic and torn, ran after Amanda, calling her name in an attempt to catch up.
Madam Xi, now feeling awkward, said, "you don't have to leave. I guess Amanda is still angry."
"You have no right to tell us what to do." Mrs. Roberts snapped. "One moment, we are liars and manipulators that you want out of your son's home and another moment, we are perfect strangers for your home."
"I understand your anger." Mr. Xi retorted. "But if what our children just said is true then we have to help them."
"The only help I can give to my daughter is to support whatever she wants." Mrs. Roberts snapped. "If she says she leaves, then we leave. I won't have her stay with the godforsaken people she called in-laws."
"I see we are already on the wrong side here. But this anger of yours won't help anything. If I have to apologize for things I have said then I will because I won't have my grandchildren tag me evil." Madam Xi said softly but with pride.
"Grandchildren? I bet they will roast you." Mrs. Roberts replied, chuckling.
"Not yet. Until I am done with the DNA test" Mr. Xi exclaimed.
"And pray we won't be pressing charges because I will be smiling back at you in court.
Anna walked over to the center of the room and started pleading. "Please, let's leave our differences behind. This is not the time to fight about insulting words we have said to one another. The children need us."
She turned to Mr and Madam Xi, "Rowan is in love with Amanda. You know that only if you want to deny it. His life has been a mess in the last year that she left. Don't you want your son to be happy?"
She then turned to Mrs. Roberts, things have been hard for Amanda. Raising these kids on her own is not something anyone would ask for. Now we all know who the father is. Don't you think she should have the kind of life she deserves?
"So please, let's settle our differences and help them. This is the time they need their parents' support." Anna pleaded. "But first, we need to become one and on the same page to get that done."
"Thank you Anna. You are right but first things first, I need to get the DNA done. She has lied to us before that I am now insecure with things like that. If the result proves them to be my son's kids? I will do everything possible to give them the life they deserve." Mr. Xi explained.
"And what happens to my daughter?" Mrs. Roberts asked.
"She can press charges," Madam Xi whispered to Mr. Xi. Rowan is already at fault here"
Mr. Xi cleared his throat, "I will leave that to them to decide. Whatever they want. Either to be together or go their own ways, they will have my support."
"Fair enough," Mrs. Roberts replied. She turned to Mason and Tyler who are still in the room with them. "Get your brothers and sister, you need to get a DNA test done."
Outside the house, Rowan paced up, calling Amanda to wait. "Amanda, please, just hear me out!" Rowan implored, his voice filled with desperation. He finally caught up with her as she stood near the entrance, ready to leave.
Amanda, her eyes red from tears, looked at Rowan with a mix of anger and hurt. "There's nothing left to say, Rowan."
Rowan, gasping for breath, reached out to touch her shoulder gently. "I messed up, Amanda. I know that. But I want to make things right. I want to be a part of your life and our children's lives."
"Whatever happened that night does not make you their father" Amanda snapped.
"Come on, Amanda. Don't do this. I know they are mine. Mason used to have ear infections as a kid, that was exactly me. Tyler is left handed, are you going to argue that he didn't get that from me? Adora can't eat cheese because she is allergic and Ryan hates berries because they make him sick."
Rowan smiled at Amanda, "these are traits they inherited from me and you know that. You can't tell me they are not mine."
"They are biologically yours, don't make them your children. I have raised them on my own till this moment and only I gets to decide who fathers my children." Amanda snapped.
"I know and I am sorry. I am sorry you had to go through that. I am sorry you had to raise them on your own. Amanda, I am sorry for everything but please, I want to be their father, I want to be the responsible man that I am, I want to show them what they ought to have been enjoying all the years I was irresponsible. I want to show them how much I love their mother" Rowan pleaded.
"Love? Now you love me because I have your kids?" Amanda said, unconcerned about the tears running down her cheeks.
"That is not completely true. I love you and I can bet you know I do." Rowan responded.
"You didn't believe me. You sent me away the very instance you spoke to your brother. That's not love" Amanda said, her tone calm and shaky with emotions.
"No..I believed you. I trusted you, but you lied to me. You made me look like a fool." Rowan exclaimed.
"I was going to tell you. I was just scared you would leave. I was not going to keep that forever." Amanda protested.
"Does not make your lies right. Maybe I would have known they were my kids a long time ago if you were truthful. I was not going to leave even if you had told me about them. I love you, Amanda. But I was broken and hurt that you could lie to me."
Amanda sighed, "I am sorry"
"I know. I know you are" Rowan said, moving closer. "That is in the past now." He said, trying to comfort her.
Amanda shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "Rowan, you can't undo the past. The pain is too deep."
"I never meant for any of this to happen," Rowan said, his eyes pleading for understanding. "I know I messed up, but I want to be there for you now. Let me prove to you that things can change and will change"
Amanda sighed, her emotions a whirlwind. "Rowan, it's not that simple. I need some time"
Rowan, devastated by Amanda's words, lowered his gaze. "I understand, Amanda. If that is what you think is best, then I won't stand in your way. Just know that I am truly sorry for everything. And please don't hate me."
"I wish I could but I don't hate you" Amanda said softly, pulling away.
Rowan nodded. "Can you tell me where you are going?"
"I don't know…to get a cab" Amanda responded. She stopped Rowan from trying to help when he tried to raise it, "no..no. I want it done my way"
As Amanda turned away, Rowan stood there, watching her leave with a heavy heart.