Chapter 27

The sound of a baby’s laughter never hurt so much before.

Abigail had wholly forgotten that her cousin, Elizabeth, had twins a few months ago. So, when Abigail visited her aunt, she was surprised to see Elizabeth staying in her childhood room with her two sons. Apparently, the father ran off when he learnt she was pregnant—let alone with twins. Elizabeth had no choice but to live with her mom for the extra help.

Usually, Abigail didn’t mind Elizabeth. They were never close as kids, but they didn’t resent each other either. So, when Elizabeth heard of Abigail’s arrival, she was more than thrilled to have the extra ‘help’. But as bad as it sounded, little did she know that Abigail wanted nothing to do with babies anytime soon. Still, she would’ve never told Elizabeth or her aunt what happened, leaving her with no choice but to smile at the toddlers and be a sweet big cousin to them both.

“Do you like the pink one or the blue one?” Abigail asked in an effortless baby voice, holding up two stuffed toys before Jordan, the elder of the twins. He laughed even louder as if Abigail had just told him the mightiest joke in the universe before reaching for the pink toy.

Abigail wanted to resist the urge to smile. How could she not? When Jordan was always such a cheerful, lovable baby. It only made her wonder what her and Theodore’s baby would be like.

Theodore.

Just the thought of his name made her stomach churn, and as much as she hated to admit it, she missed him.

“Okay… Bath time is over for Joshua. Jordan, it’s your turn,” Elizabeth said as she entered Abigail’s room, placing Joshua beside her.

Jordan’s lips curled downwards as if he understood what his mother had said before a loud wail echoed from his chest. Elizabeth sighed as she shared a knowing look with Abigail.

“You’ve been here for two weeks, and my sons love you more than me. Maybe he’ll fuss less if you take him to get his bath.”

“Oh no,” Abigail laughed. “I’ll stay here with Josh where it’s safe.” Elizabeth joined Abigail in laughter as she carried a screaming Jordan through the door.

Sighing, Abigail checked her phone, seeing that Joshua was dozing off against the pillows. It has been on aeroplane mode from the second she left New York. Yet, the habit of checking it ever so often hasn’t changed. Deep down, Abigail knew she was checking for messages from Theodore. Not that she wanted any, but the curiosity ate her whole.

Did he call or text her? Did he miss her as much as she missed him?

However, the questions remained irrelevant since there was no place for him in her life anymore and none in his for her. It hurt, but it was the truth. And though Abigail knew she couldn’t dismiss what they had like it was nothing, she was willing to allow herself to heal.

However long it might be.

Heaving out another sigh, Abigail placed the phone on her nightstand facing down and carried a passed out Joshua to his crib in Elizabeth’s room.

Yet again, a day had come and ended as the clock struck five on the wall. Her stomach growled as she strolled to the kitchen, where her aunt, Debby, sat with a newspaper.

“Anything interesting today?” Abigail asked, ducking her head in the fridge to grab some leftovers.

“Nah,” Debby mumbled, closing the paper and throwing it against the counter. “Just more rich people stuff and crime.”

“Then again, what’s new?” Abigail paused abruptly as she glanced at the paper. On the front page sat a picture of Theodore—smiling and looking as handsome as ever—with the headline big and bold: “Young Billionaire to Top The Charts For The End Of Another Quarter”.

Her chest suddenly felt tight, and her head spun. It was as if he was peering right into her soul as if he would walk out of the picture and squeeze her half to death. As if she could smell the scent of him…

“Abigail?”

Abigail swerved around, her eyes bulging from their socket as Elizabeth joined her in the kitchen with baby Jordan wrapped in a towel. But strolling behind Elizabeth was Najay and, well… Theodore. Abigail stumbled but quickly held onto the counter as Elizabeth smiled at her.

“I was on my way from the bathroom when I heard a knock on the door. These folks are here to see you.” The young woman’s eyes twinkled in excitement as she leaned closer to Abigail’s ear. “Is that Theodore Fucking Adams?”

Abigail gulped, and somehow she couldn’t take her eyes away from him. “Yes.”

“No wonder you’re so hung up in the big city! You’re fucking Theodore Adams!”

“I’m not fucking him!” Abigail’s voice came out louder and angrier than she intended, no doubt catching the attention of everyone in the room, including Theodore.

“Abigail, language!” Debby scolded. “There are guests and children present.” She then smiled welcomingly at Theodore and Najay, standing to shake their hands.

“I apologise. We weren’t expecting company, or I would’ve baked some muffins or started dinner earlier! Good heavens, this is embarrassing. But would you like some orange juice? Anything to drink?”

Najay managed a smile, finally shifting her gaze from Abigail to address her aunt. “We’re fine, thank you, Debby. We came to speak to Abigail, but it’s great to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you. I even knew of Abigail’s plans to visit you once the school year was over, but I guess that was much sooner than I knew.” Najay snapped her eyes towards Abigail for a quick second, but Abigail looked away as guilt threatened to invade her mind.

“Oh? Well, I’m glad to know that my niece speaks of me. And you are?”

“Najay. And this is Theodore,” Najay said, gesturing to the man behind her.

Theodore shifted his attention towards Debby to share a smile and a short greeting but found Abigail’s eyes again.

“Well, we’ll leave you three to talk then,” Debby said, dismissing a disappointed looking Elizabeth. “Do let me know when you are leaving. I’d love to give you some fruits for the road.”

“Will do.” Najay nodded with a smile as Debby dragged her daughter from the kitchen.

Abigail cleared her throat, trying not to look at either of them. Yet somehow, she found herself always meeting Theodore’s intense stare.

“Let’s go to the patio. It’s kinda hot in here,” she suggested, practically running through the back door. She sat in the single armchair, knowing it was the safest choice considering the other was a loveseat. Theodore and Najay sat across from her only seconds later. They all waited for someone to start speaking first. Ultimately, it was Najay.

“We have one fight, and you leave the city without telling me.”

“Najay…” Abigail sighed, knowing it would lead to this.

In truth, Abigail was just as surprised to see Najay as she was to see Theodore.

“No, Abigail. I was pissed, yes. You accused me of something not just awful but disgusting and heart-breaking. I spent days wondering what I could’ve done to make you doubt my loyalty. I admit I kept a few details away from you because I didn’t want you to freak out. But when I invited Nicholas inside my apartment, it was only to threaten his sorry ass in a place where no one would hear.”

“I know, Najay. I was stupid and scared and hurt, and I should’ve never accused you of something like that.”

“No, you shouldn’t have.” Najay had always been bare-faced. “But I said some things that weren’t so kind either, and I’m sorry. I figured two weeks was enough time to blow off steam, and I came looking for you when I couldn’t reach your phone. Then, I hear that you and Theodore broke up, and then I realise you’re not even in the city!”

Abigail flinched, but it was only when Najay mentioned the breakup. She didn’t miss how Theodore tensed too, closing his eyes at the words. Abigail tried hard to pretend that he wasn’t there, but the more Najay talked, the more she wanted to know why Theodore was here… in Denver… with Najay… as if he didn’t break her heart.

It was hard enough having the twins around. Now, seeing Theodore—actually seeing the golden flecks in his eyes and the curve of his hairline only made her think harder about what could have been.

What the baby could have looked like.

“I’m sorry—”

“Then”—Najay added, making it clear she wasn’t finished—” I hear you were in the hospital?”

“Seymour told you where I was. Of course.” Abigail sighed, burying her face in her palm. She didn’t mind that Seymour told Najay. But Theodore?

“Yeah, yeah. I told him I wouldn’t tell you, but my point is, it doesn’t add up, Abi. I leave your life for two weeks, and it turns upside down.” For some reason, she found Najay’s statement funny.

Najay always had a great degree of wit.

“I know. I should have never let you leave.” For the first time in two weeks, Abigail smiled genuinely as she stood to hug Najay. It lasted for ten seconds, and after the initial humour subsided, Abigail had to resist the urge to let her tears flow. Not here. Not in front of Theodore.

But she knew one thing for sure: she needed Najay, and Najay should have been the first person she called when everything happened. They’ve had fights in the past, but not like this. Maybe that’s why Abigail believed she couldn’t talk to her. But she should’ve known better. Najay will always be on her side.

“I really am sorry, Najay. Not only for leaving like that but for everything I said,” Abigail mumbled against her shoulder.

Najay sighed, squeezing Abigail’s waist tighter. “I know. I’m sorry too. But I love you.”

“I love you too.” Abigail felt peace—only for a while until Najay pulled away, staring in Theodore’s direction.

“Now that our thing is settled,” she said, folding her arms. Abigail sighed, thinking Theodore must’ve sweet-talked Najay on the trip here and got him on her side. But to Abigail’s utmost surprise, Najay said, “What did this clown do that hurt you so much that you had to run away. I swear to God I’ll skin his balls over.”

Theodore’s eyes widened as he instinctively clenched his thighs.

“Najay—”

“No, Abigail. I asked him a zillion times on the trip here. But he kept saying, ‘Oh, it was a misunderstanding. Oh, it’s complicated’. Yeah right. Like I’m a damn fool!”

If the situation didn’t hurt this much, Abigail would’ve laughed so hard. But she couldn’t find the will to.

“I only tolerated his lies on the way here because he paid for my ticket. But I swear—”

“Najay, could you excuse us please?” Theodore asked as he stood. But he almost shrank back when Najay snapped her head in his direction with a look that could send him to the moon.

“Oh hell no! Este payaso no me dijo que me fuera!”

“Oh no,” Abigail mumbled. She only ever heard Najay speak Spanish when she was furious. And that’s like ’pushing someone in front of a moving train’ type of furious.

“Najay, it’s okay. I’ll tell you everything later, I promise. My cousin has twins. Isn’t that lovely? You like babies, right? Go on and meet them.” Abigail prayed it would work, yet the very thought caused a pang in her chest again, thinking how good Najay would have been as a godmother.

Najay hesitated for a moment, throwing daggers at Theodore with her stare before finally complying.

“Fine. But I’ll make good on my balls promise.”

As Najay left, the air suddenly became thicker, and it was almost hard to breathe. Abigail gulped as Theodore stepped closer to her. But as if on instinct, she stepped back, maintaining the distance between them.

“Why were you in the hospital?” Theodore asked. Abigail flinched visibly but kept her mouth shut.

She refused to even admit that she was there, and Theodore saw this. So, he let it go.

He sighed. “Abigail, I’m so sor—”

“Please, don’t.” She almost didn’t recognise her voice. It was so soft—so frail.

“Abigail…”

“I can’t see you right now, Theodore. I left New York for a reason.”

“To be away from me, and I get that. I get why you would hate me, but I swear that Cleo and I have nothing going on. I broke up with her when you and I became close, but she didn’t take me seriously.”

Abigail laughed, but there was no humour behind it. “Yeah? And whose fault is that? Mine? You told her that I was your stripper, Theodore. And yes, I was. After what happened with Vino, I was naive and scared, and I became your stripper. For some reason, my stupid ass fell in love with you.” She laughed again. “But there really wasn’t anything I could do, right? I was doomed the moment I stumbled down your stairs that morning after you saved me.”

“Abigail, don’t say that.” This time, Theodore didn’t care for her stepping away. He closed the distance between them and held her shoulders firmly in his grip. “Cleo means nothing to me. I… I was stupid not to try harder to get you back. I shouldn’t have let you leave. I shouldn’t even have let you believe that Cleo is anywhere in my life. I need you, Abigail. I fucking need you.”

Abigail remained still, just staring at him—appreciating everything she’s always loved about his features. His lean jaw, his dark hair and golden eyes. His stubble had grown more than usual, but he was still perfect.

Gosh, she needed to get away.

“I can’t.” She twisted herself from his grip. “It’s more than just Cleo, Theodore. It’s the fact that you weren’t even honest with me. And like I said, I don’t belong in your world.”

“Abigail, that’s bull. I have no world if you’re not with me. You told me on the night you left that you loved me. It wasn’t direct, but it was there. I guess that’s why I’ve been so hung up on moping that I didn’t get around to trying to get you back. I just couldn’t help thinking, how could I hurt her? She loved me, and I just…” He sighed. “Abigail, I love you. I’ve loved you from the moment I saw you, and I can’t see a life without you in it. Please.”

Abigail wanted to believe him. In fact, she did believe him. She believed him with all her heart. But what good was it now? When she was already broken, lost, and the very sight of him evoked the pain she hated the most. The pain of watching the nurses getting ready to send her off to sleep, so they could suck her baby—their baby from her stomach.

It might’ve been selfish of her, but Abigail simply couldn’t bear it. She knew it wasn’t Theodore’s fault. Hell, if she blamed anyone, she blamed herself. But being with him would be too much. It would be too hard.

So, as she hated it, she shook her head. “I’m sorry.”

That was all it took for realisation to finally dawn on him. Theodore realised that this really was it. This was the end.

“I do believe you about Cleo and all. I mean, I’m not surprised that she did what she did. She seems like a person used to getting what she wants. But there’s just too much baggage between us, Theodore. We were trying to build something that simply wouldn’t work. We had a good run. You helped me a lot, and I’ll always be grateful. But I can’t be with you. I’m sorry.”

Knowing she couldn’t bear to see his face or hear whatever he would say, Abigail dashed towards the backdoor. She squeezed her eyes shut as she leaned against the door, trying desperately to catch her breath as her chest tightened.

Soon after, Najay found her and helped her through her breathing exercises. But Theodore didn’t come back. There wasn’t a sound or sight of life anywhere outside.

They didn’t even see when he left.