Chapter 78

We’ll always love you

Ava The moment I saw my parents on my doorstep I knew that they had seen the damn article.

Letty had sent me the link a few minutes after I got home. It pissed me off more than I already was. I hadn’t been ready to let others know and the damn paparazzi had blasted it on the entire internet.

I wasn’t even worried about the others reaction. My worry was solely on mom and dad’s reaction. I just haven’t found a way to tell them that I was pregnant. The entire thing was even more complicated since Ethan was still not talking to them.

The article had disappeared a few minutes before my parents arrived. I had a strong suspicion that Rowan had something to do with it.

Just his name brought anger like no other. I shake the thoughts of what happened in the changing room and focus on my parents who were staring at me questioningly.

“You saw the article didn’t you?” I ask the obvious.

The house was quiet. Mainly because Noah wasn’t back from school yet.

“Yes” dad responds, his eyes piercing mine.

“I know we haven’t had a lot of time with you, Ava, but why didn’t you tell us?” Mom whispers in a small voice. “A baby is a blessing and I thought we were past the point where you feel you can’t talk to us”

I feel how hurt she is. It hurts me to know that I’ve hurt them. They’ve been nothing but amazing to me. The kind of parents I’ve always wanted. Always wished for. How do I explain to them that I wanted to, I just didn’t know how to get it out?

“You have to believe that I wanted to tell you so many times, I just didn’t know how to?” I whisper back. My eyes on my shaky hands.

“Why would you have a hard time telling us?” dad brows frown in confusion. He was trying to figure out my reasons but none seemed to be making sense.

“Because of who the father is”

I hear mom’s sharp intake of air. “You mean Rowan isn’t the father?

Why does everyone think Rowan is the one that got me pregnant? We were divorced for fucks sake.

I nod my head, still looking down. I didn’t know it back then but fact remains that I slept with my adopted brother. I am sure Ethan never told them those specific details, which makes telling them all the more difficult. It is even more messed up that Ethan knew the whole damn time and yet he still went ahead and slept with me.

“You have to know that we will never judge you Ava. Whoever the father is, it doesn’t matter” mom adds when she sees I’m still hesitant.

“Even if the father of my baby is Ethan?” I choke out.

It still felt like a damn sin. Ethan and I weren’t related, but he was their son in every way.

The silence that descends is heavy. They both look at me in complete shock. Their mouths open and close wordlessly. As if they can’t form any word.

Damn it. I knew this was a bad idea. What if they hate me? What if they hate Ethan? I let out a long sigh. I also couldn’t keep it a secret from the forever.

“E–Ethan is the fa–father?” mom stammers, tears filling her eyes.

“Yes. I didn’t know that he was my adopted brother when I started a relationship with him.”

“But he knew!” dad booms, standing up angrily. He was fuming. It was easily written all over his face. “Is this why he doesn’t want to see us? I didn’t think he had gone this far. That he fucking seduced you knowing very well you’re our daughter”

I’m surprised. I have never ever heard dad curse.

“He didn’t seduce me. I jumped into the relationship willingly” I tell dad, feeling my cheeks turning pink for some reason.

Sure, I wouldn’t have gotten into a relationship with him had I known the truth, but he didn’t seduce me. Everything that happened between us was consented. 4 “He tricked you Ava.” Mom sighs. “Your dad is right. Ethan knew the truth, but you didn’t. He basically seduced you knowing very well he’s your adopted brother. That was wrong of him.

Really wrong”

“I know and I’m disgusted when I think about it. He won’t stay in prison forever and I did give him explain that their father is your son? Adopted or not. Fihan is still your au This has been one of my biggest worry I don’t want my child to vise me in a negative way come tell them the truth, but that would mean making his or her dad seem like a fucking sickne Mom stands up and comes to sit next to me. She pulls me into her arms and huge me close Heel my eyes start to fill with tears Damn hormones a “It’s okay baby, don’t worry about it. We still love you and we will love the baby” Dad adds, joining US We stay in each other’s embrace for a while before separating “Another grandbaby. This is so awesome. I better start shopping” mom says excitedly, her face transforming with the smile that takes over.

She was literally jumping up and down like a school girl.

“How many people can brag that they’re grandmas at forty three? I am a young and chick grandmother and I still energetic enough to run around with my grandkids”

Dad and I laugh in amusement as mom twirls around in my living room like a ballerina Standing up, dad pulls her into his arms and kisses her. He then spins her as mom laughs in joy I smile at them. This is the kind of marriage I’d wanted. The kind of love I’d craved for. I feel a pang in my heart, but I don’t let it bother me. I’d already let go of those fantasies. I’d accepted that their kind of love wasn’t in the cards for me.

After that, they stay a little before they leave. I felt like a burden had been lifted from my shoulders. My biggest fear had been that they would reject my child. Seeing how in the end they were excited to have an additional grandchild eased something inside me.

Soon Noah arrives and I get busy helping him with homework and making him snacks. I like being organized, so I sort his uniform for the next day and everything he would need.

I had just finished when there was a knock on my door. Dragging my feet, I leave Noah’s room and go to open the door.

“Ava Sharp?” the delivery man asks.

Damn it I need to change my last name. The Sharp’s name no longer belonged to me.

Yes “I have a delivery for you I roll my eyes. I don’t get why they always have to say that. I mean, I already can tell you’re here to deliver something. It’s obvious.

“I didn’t order anything” I tell him.

“Not my problem Rude. Maybe he saw me rolling my eyes at him. Before I can say anything, he shoves the box into my hand and walks away.

I watch his back in shock. Memorizing the name of the company he worked for. I didn’t order anything, but I sure was going to give them a one star rating and a scathing review.

Taking the box inside the house, I close the door and head to the living room.

“What’s that?” Noah asks, eyeing the package.

“I don’t know”

I debate whether I should open it or not. There is still danger looming around from the reapers. What if it was a bomb or something?

I don’t get a chance to debate too much on it because Noah jumps up, takes the box and tears it open.

“Noah!” I shout. My heart in my throat.

If it had been a bomb we would have been blown into pieces. Didn’t he have a sense of safety?

“You do not open packages that you don’t know anything about!” I snap at him, trying to calm my erratic beating heart.

He just shrugs his shoulder. “I was curious, so I opened it”

He looks inside and his face turns into distaste. “I thought there would be something cool, but it’s nothing but a bunch of dresses”

Wait what?

I take the box from him and check inside. I remove each one of the piece of clothes. Slowly realizing that each piece is one from the mom and baby shop. They were all the clothes I had tried and liked. The ones that I’d wanted to buy before shit happened with Rowan.

How the hell… I stop the thought as realization sinks in. Rowan. The bastard must have bought them.

“They’re really nice dresses mommy. You’ll look beautiful in them” Noah says, just as the thought of burning them crosses my mind.

“Thank you, my love” I force a smile on my face. “I’m going to prepare dinner. Finish up so you can take a shower”

Leaving the box of clothes, I head to the kitchen. I still wasn’t sure what to do about the clothes. I didn’t want anything from Rowan. If we’re being honest, this is the first I’ve ever gotten from the man.

Thinking of the clothes made me think of the scene at the changing room. I still don’t know what the hell had gotten into him. Something just wasn’t right. He was behaving so unlike himself.

I hated the desire I saw in his eyes. I hated that I felt his hardened dick pressing against my stomach. Rowan has never found me attractive. Never looked at me like he wanted to eat me up, so what the hell has changed.

“Ava”

I swivel around at his voice. Staring at him in shock as he stood at the door to the kitchen.

“What are you doing here and how the hell did you get in?” I ask, feeling my early anger start rising up.

“Noah let me in” he answers stepping forward.

I didn’t want him in my house. I didn’t want him in my life. He can’t treat me like trash for nine years then all of a sudden have a change of heart. It doesn’t fucking work like that.

“Get out!” I snap in anger.

“Ava”

“Get out of my fucking house, Rowan” 2 I try to hold it back, but the shit he put me through comes barreling back up. I don’t see him now.

“Listen to me, Ava”

“Like you listened every time I told you I was drunk and you didn’t believe me? Or every time I begged you to give us a chance, but you wouldn’t listen. Wouldn’t give me the time of day!” I take a deep breath trying to calm down.

“I’ve heard enough from you to last me a life time. I left you like you’ve always fucking wanted, why can’t you do the same for me? Haven’t I already paid enough for loving you! What more do you want from me?”

Tears threaten to fall, but I hold them back. I won’t let him see me lose it.

“You’ve always thrown your love for Emma in my face. She’s here Rowan. You can have the love of your fucking life and leave me the hell alone. Don’t come to my appointments, don’t take me shopping, and don’t buy me clothes. Just ignore me like you always have” I finish and collapse against the kitchen counter. 2 I see something flash in his eyes. Pain, regret, sorrow? I don’t know and right now I don’t care.

“Are you too fighting?” Noah asks, his voice cutting through the tense atmosphere.

His eyes are hard. His mouth compressed in a thin line.

“No we’re not” I sigh tiredly. “Your father was just leaving”

I glare at Rowan. Giving him the silent command to leave. Hopefully he will never step foot into my house again.

Noah nods and leaves. Rowan turns to leave, but then stops.

“I’m sorry Ava. So fucking sorry” his tone is hard. Almost like he was fighting his emotions.

“Just leave Rowan and take the clothes you bought with you”

“No”

I resist the urge to stomp my foot at his stubbornness and throw a pan at his head.

“Fine! I’ll just give them away to charity”

“Do as you wish Ava. They are your clothes” with that he walks out of the kitchen.

i hear murmurs and then a while ister 1 hear the front door open and close. I breathe a sigh of relief now that Rowan’s suffocating presence was gone.

As I make dinner, I harden my heart. Builiding fotress walls around it. I don’t know what game Rowan was playing, but I’ll be damned before I allow my heart to get involved with him again.