Chapter 0217 Iâd been scared, to say the least. I didnât know how to be a father. For heavenâs sake, Iâd never even been near any babies. It was overwhelming, but I knew I loved the baby already.
âShe wanted to get an abortion. I couldnât let that happen, so I threatened her.â I take a deep breath, feeling my throat close tightly against the bubbling emotions. âI took her to my grandfatherâs house. Iâd hoped things would get better. That she would learn to love the baby and me, but I was wrong.â
âShe was hell to live with. I wonât lie to you; during that time we still had S** when the mood struck her, but it didnât make up for the ugly way she behaved towards me. She would curse me, call me names and sometimes even slap me. She said I ruined her life and that she hated both me and the babyâ
I look at the floor. I tried to understand that she was going through a lot. That she was pregnant, heartbroken, and still in love with another man. Thatâs why I let her let out her frustrations on me.
I I âIt was hard. I wanted to walk away so many times, but then I would remember my child. Sometimes I would remember the times she was sweet, or when she cried and begged me not to leave her. I was hurting while trying help her with her pain.
Ava takes my hand and squeezes it. Lending me her strength as I felt mine diminish.
âWhen Gunner was born, she refused to see him. She went back to being a stoneâcold bitch. She told me she never wanted to see me or him again. I took my baby and left the hospital. I didnât hear from her until probably a year later.
âWhat did she want?â Ava asks.
I didnât want to tell her this part because Iâm ashamed of it. Ashamed of how I let Emma use me for years.
âSex.â I breathe, âShe wanted S**. She said she tried sleeping with other men, but she couldnât bring herself to. I was overwhelmed with being a single father so I gave in. I wanted the release. Ther next morning, when I woke up, she was gone. She didnât even want to see her son, nor did she say goodbye.â
I continue. âIt went on like that for years. She would drop by just to have S** with me. I let it go so long because Iâd hoped she would change. That she would learn to love me and our son, but she was only interested in what my b*dy could give her.â
I feel sick to my stomach as I tell Ava everything. I feel disgusted with myself for allowing her to use me for so long. Most of the time, I hated both her and me. Her, for hurting me and myself for being weak.
The day Gunner saw her, he was about seven years old, and she was sneaking out in the morning. He had been awake. Gunner asked me if she was his mom. I couldnât lie to him, so I told him the truth. She got +15 BONUS Iâd felt so angry and bitter toward her. So resentful because I had to pick up the pieces of my sonâs broken heart.
âI called her and told her to give her relationship with Gunner a chance. When she refused, I cut all communications with her. I could no longer allow her to string me along while she hurt Gunner.â
âI wanted a fresh change for me and Gunner, so we moved here, where I was born and raised. I wanted a fresh start with him. I just didnât know that you would be my neighbor or that Emma too had moved back home.â
âIâm sorry for everything youâve gone through, but Iâm glad you saw your worth. Youâre a great guy, Cal, and you deserve someone whoâll love you wholeheartedly,â she says with a smile.
I smile back at her.
âThanks Ava, you too deserve the world after what you went through with Rowan.â
I pull her into my arms and hug her. I feel so lighthearted. Like a burden had been lifted from my shoulders.
I didnât want to tell Ava this, but I was glad when I realized that she would be my neighbor. I wanted her to figure it out. I wanted her to tell everyone the truth because I was so sick of Emma keeping him a secret. I i was glad that now everyone knew what kind of woman she truly is.