Chapter 13

"Thank you for coming." I pulled away and looked into his eyes, the same eyes I had missed so much.

"Have you been crying?" Kelvin tilted my chin up, scanning my face with concern, but I just closed my eyes, unwilling to let him see the depth of my pain.

"Eva..." The way he said my name twisted my stomach into knots. He let go of me and paced around the room. "I don't know why I came here."

I followed him, refusing to let him slip away. "You came because you love me," I said, grabbing his arm and turning him to face me. "Just like I love you." His eyes softened for a moment, but then he pulled away from my touch, his gaze wandering around the room as if searching for something.

"You hurt me." His voice was thick with pain. "This is a really nice place, Eva. Enough reason to leave me, right?"

"No!" I rushed to him, my heart breaking. "I didn't leave you. I was desperate." Tears slid down my cheeks, but I didn't bother to wipe them away. He needed to see my regret, my remorse.

He sighed, his tone eerily calm. "It's fine."

But it wasn't fine. His calmness scared me more than any shouting ever could. It was like he'd given up on us, and the thought of losing him like this made my chest tighten with fear.

"Kelvin..." I choked on his name, and his eyes widened when he noticed my tears.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice barely audible as he reached out, gently wiping the tears from my face before pulling me into a hug. His actions confused me-was he still angry? Or was he letting me in again?

"I should've listened to you," I mumbled against his chest, "I should've waited, I should've found another way. But I didn't, and now..." I couldn't stop crying. If he could only see how much I regretted everything.

"It's too late," he said softly, still holding me, but his words were like knives. "You're pregnant, Eva. That's our reality now."

I flinched, but I held onto him, desperate. "I'm so sorry for hurting you, Kelvin. I still love you. That will never change." I prayed that he could hear the truth in my words.

"It's okay," he whispered, rubbing my back as though comforting me. "Stop crying. I'm here now."

We shared a quiet dinner afterwards. I introduced him to Clara, though the conversation was stilted and awkward. I chose my words carefully, terrified of saying the wrong thing and pushing him further away. I could barely suppress the dread in my heart. The last thing I wanted was for Leonard to show up and ruin the fragile peace between Kelvin and me. And I couldn't bear the thought of Kelvin leaving again.

Later, we went upstairs. I showered, and when I returned, Kelvin kissed me softly before we curled up together. I savored the warmth of his arms, the feel of his chest rising and falling beneath my head. It felt like the happiest moment I'd had in ages. Maybe, just maybe, we could survive this.

I woke up the next morning, feeling a flicker of happiness when I saw Kelvin still beside me. I had missed waking up to him more than I realized. Smiling, I leaned over and kissed his lips, just enough to wake him.

"Good morning," I whispered, my heart swelling when he smiled back at me.

"Good morning," he replied softly.

"I love you," I said suddenly, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. His smile faltered, disappearing into a somber expression.

"I love you too," he said, but the warmth was gone. He kissed me again, but it wasn't the same.

"Don't leave me," I whispered, tears filling my eyes once more. I couldn't bear the silence that followed. When he finally sat up, resting his back against the headboard, I mirrored his movement, bracing myself for his next words.

"Eva..." His voice was heavy with emotion, and I knew what was coming. My heart raced, already breaking before he even spoke. "I can't do this."

His words shattered me.

"I've tried. I've really tried to understand and put myself in your shoes, but I can't." His eyes were distant, his face calm, but his words cut deep. "We need to stay away from each other. I can't see you like this, pregnant with someone else's child."

I wanted to scream. I wanted to beg him to stay, to hold onto what we had, but all I could do was nod, my throat too tight to speak.

"What about after I give birth?" I managed to ask, grasping at the last sliver of hope.

"I can't promise you anything, Eva." His voice was low, but his words crushed whatever hope I had left. "Let's wait and see what happens after everything."

I felt my heart shrivel up inside me. Why had he come at all? Why had he stayed the night, only to break me all over again? Why give me hope when there was none?

Kelvin kissed my forehead one last time before he stood up from the bed. "I have to go now."

I followed him downstairs, watching him, knowing this would be the last time. At the door, I hugged him tightly, one last time, before he left. Left me. Broken.

I turned around and saw Clara watching me. Without thinking, I ran into her arms, the sobs finally escaping my chest.

"It'll be okay," she whispered, holding me tightly.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. I ate breakfast in silence, then lunch, then dinner. I barely spoke to Clara, though I was thankful that she gave me space, knowing I needed time to grieve.

That night, I sat in the living room, attempting to distract myself with a comedy on TV, but it didn't work. Nothing worked. Then the doorbell rang.

Clara got up to answer it, and before I could process what was happening, Leonard walked in, holding a giant bouquet of flowers.

Without a word, I stood up and headed upstairs. I didn't want to see him. I didn't want to talk to him. Not now, not anytime soon.

His voice echoed in my mind, those cruel words from before still stinging. I didn't care anymore. I'd do what he asked-keep my distance, mind my business, and focus on the job I had to do. Nothing more.

With that thought, I collapsed onto my bed and let sleep take over.