chapter 8
Hate
As we walked to my apartment, Mark's stunned expression didn't change. He seemed lost in thoughts, his mind reeling from the revelation that I was pregnant with his children. I couldn't blame him; it was a lot to take in.
After opening the door and closing it behind us, Mark didn't sit down. Instead, he turned to me, his eyes searching for answers. "Liam, how did this happen?" he asked quietly, his voice laced with a mix of shock and curiosity.
I took a deep breath, remembering the pain and fear that had driven me to leave. "I discovered I was pregnant by the time I left," I said, my voice flat.
Mark's expression changed, his eyes clouding over with hurt. "Why did you not tell me?" he asked, his voice tinged with sadness.
I felt a surge of anger, remembering the reason I had left in the first place. "It's because of your mother, Mark," I said, my voice rising. "That's why I left. I couldn't take her cruelty and manipulation anymore."
Mark's expression softened, and he took a step closer to me. He gently opened my shirt and caressed my belly, his touch sending shivers down my spine. "So they are 4 months old, right?" he asked, his voice filled with wonder.
I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. Mark's eyes locked onto mine, and I saw a mix of emotions there - shock, joy, and a deep-seated love.
Mark's fingers danced across Liam's skin, relearning every curve and contour. He caressed his cheek, his eyes locked onto Liam's, filled with a deep longing. The kiss that followed was tender, yet passionate, a mix of emotions that only came from being apart for so long.
Liam's tears flowed freely, a mix of joy and sadness. He had missed Mark's touch, his kisses, his love. The past four months had been a blur of pain and heartache, but in this moment, none of that mattered.
Mark pulled back, his eyes scanning Liam's face, taking in every detail. "I'm so sorry," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. "I was so blind, so stupid. I should have been here for you."
Liam's hands came up, cupping Mark's face. "You're here now," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "That's all that matters."
Mark's eyes never left Liam's face as he gently wiped away his tears. His fingers traced the contours of Liam's cheeks, relearning the curves and lines of his beloved's face.
Liam's hands remained on Mark's face, holding him close as they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms. The tension and uncertainty of the past few months melted away, replaced by a sense of peace and belonging.
Mark's lips brushed against Liam's forehead, sending shivers down his spine. His hands roamed over Liam's body, reacquainting himself with the familiar curves and contours.
As they stood there, lost in the moment, Liam's eyes drifted closed, and he let out a soft sigh. Mark's arms tightened around him, holding him close as they both let go of the past and embraced the present.