Chapter 52

We had gotten back to the palace, and it was shocking to know my room was still there. I tried to enter but my mother had stopped me.

“I just put the kids down to sleep. They had a bad day and I’d hate for them to wake up.”

I released my hand from the knob and walked down to the living room. She had followed me and sat next to me.

“I am sorry for what has happened.”

She rubbed my back, but I just gestured it away. I want to forget.

“You need to talk to Dad. I kept your secret, and I am not going to defend you.” I told her.

She let out a sigh.

“I will. That responsibility is on me. I am the last person you wan—” I stood up and something snapped.

“You’re right. You’re the last person I want to see. I don’t want your advice or you to comfort me because you lost that right when you abandon me. Thank you for watching my kids, but I don’t need you.”

I got up from there and no matter where I went there was someone new who wanted to comfort me or talk to me. I knew one place where people wouldn’t bother me. When I walked in I laid on the couch and just fell asleep. I wanted to be alone with my thoughts. I was numb and angry. The light switch had turned on and it awoke me out of my thoughts.

“Son of a bitch, Ryleigh, you scared me. What are you doing here?” Alizac said while holding his chest from his false heart attack. I sat up just rubbing my head.

“I’m sorry. This is the only place where people weren’t asking me anything. I just wanted to be left alone. Sorry, I will sneak back into my room.” I walked over to the door, but he stopped me.

“Take the bed, I will be on the couch.” I looked up at him and something was different about him. Softer. I think we all changed over the years. But I don’t have the energy to hate him.

“Please just take the bed. You’ve had a rough night as it is.” He gave me a smirk and I couldn’t say no.

“Let Jax know, or he may get mad if he sees me leaving your room,” I said. I went over to the familiar bed and climbed into the blankets.

That morning I got up like I usually did and realized that my entire life has changed. I walked out and went down to the kitchen where I heard my kids there. My brother was there entertaining them. Was it normal for me to feel detached from them at this moment? But I had to bury it deep inside me.

“Hey, Abel.” He looked up from my daughter who was in a highchair.

“Hey Ry, sorry I didn’t wake you. I never got to meet my niece and nephew, so I took it upon myself,” he said. He just opened some baby food.

“Not that one. She’s allergic to carrots.” He quickly put it away.

“Who’s allergic to carrots?” he asked, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Apparently, her. She has a nut allergy that is bad also. But she loves fruit baby food if you have any of that.” He walked over to the cabinet and pulled one out.

“Our lovely mother went out and got the kids what they needed for you.”

poured myself a cup of coffee and sat on the stool.

“Ryleigh, why did you not reach out for the last eight years? Didn’t you trust me enough to know that I was on your side?”

I took a sip of the coffee and looked up at him.

“I don’t have an excuse. I just wanted to start a new life. I’m sorry.” I looked down, ashamed, but he wrapped his arms around me.

“I forgive you, but I would have liked to know I was an Uncle.” I felt a tear fall down my cheek unaware I was once again crying.

“How am I going to raise them by myself? Anthony was the best parent. He was so hands-on, and he took them everywhere with him. I know they’re too young to understand but I am not, and my heart feels broken.” He held me tighter.

“Well, now you have me. I know I could never be their father but as soon as things are safe, I want you to come back to the pack and I will try to be a father figure and help you. They are my family.”

I sobbed some more before Dylan interrupted us, running in with Alizac. I lifted him into my arms.

“Your son is a demon,” he said while giving him the stink eye. Dylan had stuck his tongue out at him.

“Yeah, he takes after me, sorry.” I joked. Dylan started playing with my hair.

“Where is daddy?” I felt myself freeze. Suddenly the walls were caving in. I wasn’t prepared for this. I mean who really is? I felt my arms getting lighter. I slowly let Dylan down and I held my head and now a bad pain was going in and I couldn’t breathe. I felt my stomach also on fire.

“She’s bleeding,” I heard my mom say but then everything went black. It’s pouring. It’s no longer sprinkling.

My eyes fluttered open, but I was still in and out. I was back in the hospital room, and it was filled with everyone, which it seemed.

“She lost the baby?” I heard someone say. What baby?

“The stress she placed on herself and the amount of damage she came in with. Not to mention she lost a lot. She was just about 9 weeks. But the baby is gone.”

I was pregnant? What more could I lose? I didn’t want to live anymore. What kind of sick person hates me that would destroy everything I had. The monitor began to beep rapidly, and my mind shut off.