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He stands with the baby and disappears out of the kitchen. I sigh with relief. It’s impressive how Luca’s capable of sucking the air from a room and releasing it as he exits.
“Come, sit. Don’t mind him, he’s like a bear with a sore head since he had to break the news to Victoria. I think it literally causes him pain to see her in pain, knowing there’s nothing he can do for her.”
I thought I had that with Mason. Turns out, I really didn’t.
I pull out a chair at the table while she spoons soup into a bowl for me. She sets me up with a spoon, grabs me a bottle of water, and settles down opposite me.
“I took it upon myself to get you booked in for a scan tomorrow, make sure everything is okay with the baby. I called in a favour, and it’s first thing in the morning. I’ll come with you if you like?”
“I’d like that. I’m tired of being alone.”
Tears threaten to spill over, but I squeeze my eyes shut and blink them away.
“Why didn’t you talk to me and tell me how bad things were getting?”
“I kept waiting for it to get better. It didn’t, it just got… worse.”
I force myself to sip the soup, spoonful after spoonful, until the bowl is empty, and to be honest, I didn’t realise how hungry I was until I finished.
“You wanna talk?”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“You love him. Can you honestly see yourself walking away?”
“I already love my baby, and Mason doesn’t. It doesn’t matter what I feel for him, I have to protect my baby. Walking away is my only option.”
As much as it hurts to walk away, it hurts even more being around someone who can barely look or speak to you most of the time.
Mason will never be the type of father like Luca, doting and loving, and I have to accept it. I will love my child more than enough for two parents. I thought I had a grasp on what unconditional love felt like, but it wasn’t until Mason said he didn’t want our child that I truly felt it.
I can vouch how it feels to have a cold, uncaring father, and I will never inflict that on another—especially someone I give birth to.
“Aspen, I’m worried about you. I’ve never seen you, so… sad. I’ve seen you angry and vengeful but never sad.”
I sob. “My heart is breaking, Rudes, and it hurts so bad.”
“Oh, honey.” She moves around the table and throws her arms around me. I cry into her hug and let it all out. Every single piece of me that’s known and felt sadness over the last few months.
“I’m sorry you’re going through this. I’m no consolation to Mason, but I’m here for you, and Angel is too. Whatever you need, just say, and by God, we’ll make it happen.”
“Thank you.”
“Do you want me to get Angel to text Mason and let him know you’ve arrived safely?”
“If he cares about it, he’ll reach out to me. I’m not expecting anything, though.”
The man himself walks into the kitchen and looks like he wants a quick retreat.
“Hey, thanks for letting me crash for a few days,” I say to break the silence.
Rudi lets go of me and takes the chair next to me.
“It’s no bother. Do you need anything?”
“Just a bed. I’m so tired. I’m surprised I haven’t fallen asleep yet.”
“I set you a room up. Come on, I’ll show you up. Angel will grab your bag from your car and bring it up.”
