Chapter 129
“I’m sorry but I’m not sure she’d want that p>
Jake swallowed hard. “Please, I just need to see Bella,” he said quietly. His voice shook just a little. “Just for a few minutes. I need to explain… I need her to hear me out, please p>
Chloe’s eyes softened a little, but she shook her head. “I understand but, she doesn’t want to. Not right now. Not yet p>
Jake felt a pang of fear and guilt at her words. “I understand,” he said quickly. “But… if she could just step outside… just for a moment p>
Chloe shook her head again, a small frown on her face. “She’s not ready. You know that. You hurt her badly. She needs space. At least for now p>
Jake’s hands clenched into fists, then relaxed slowly. “Then… I’ll wait,” he said, his voice low but firm. “I’ll wait outside as long as it takes. I just… I need her to know I’m sorry. That I never wanted to hurt her. That it was all my fault p>
Chloe studied him for a long moment. She could see the exhaustion and guilt in his eyes, the way he was holding himself like he carried the weight of the world. Finally, she stepped aside. “Okay… but don’t go inside. You wait here. I’ll tell her you’re outside p>
She disappeared inside. Jake leaned against the door. The morning air was cold, and he could feel it biting at his skin. The quiet street felt heavy, almost suffocating. He could see the faint glow from the kitchen window. He imagined Bella there, probably staring blankly, thinking about the pain he had caused her. Every heartbeat reminded him that he had done something unforgivable.
Minutes passed like hours. Every movement of the blinds, every tiny sound from inside made him flinch.
Bella, oblivious to Jake’s presence was busy preparing Timothy for school since Rachel wasn’t feeling quite well.
Chloe came into the room, unsure if she should tell Bella.
“What is it?” Bella asked when she saw Chloe’s expression.
“Bella, he’s outside,” she said quietly. “Do you want to see him p>
Bella froze, her hands gripping the shirt she was trying to straighten. Her chest tightened painfully, and she blinked rapidly. “Jake… he’s outside?” she whispered, her voice trembling.
Why was he here so soon? Had he figured out the truth? Was he perhaps here to apologize or to continue to tell her he wasn’t Timothy’s father?
Chloe nodded gently. “Yes. But you don’t have to see him if you don’t want to. He just seems to have figured things out and wants to apologize p>
Bella’s lips pressed together, and she turned away for a moment, biting her bottom lip to keep herself from crying. “I… I’m not ready to see him,” she said quietly, almost as if speaking aloud made it real. “I don’t hate him but I can’t see him. I really can’t. Not now. Not ever, maybe… not after what he said. Why is he here? Why did he even come after everything he said? Does he not understand the pain he caused? Is he so sure now when merely two days ago he was sure he wasn’t Timothy’s father p>
Chloe reached out and placed a gentle hand on Bella’s shoulder. “I know, Bell. I get it. You don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for. You can take your time to figure things out and if you’re ready to let him in again. And if you want, I can take Timmy to school. You don’t have to see him. You don’t have to talk to him. No one is going to force you, okay p>
Bella nodded slowly, her throat tight, and exhaled a shaky breath. “Okay… I’ll stay here. You take him,” she whispered.
Chloe smiled softly. “Good. Let’s get Timothy ready, then. He needs to leave soon p>
Timothy bounced on his heels, his little bag slung over one shoulder since he was almost ready. “Are we going to school now?” he asked cheerfully, unaware of the tension hanging in the apartment.
“Yes, buddy,” Chloe said kindly. “Let’s get your shoes on, your bag ready. Then we’ll go p>
Timothy bud his mother goodbye before following Chloe out.
As Chloe led Timothy to the door, Jake stepped forward slightly, leaning on the wall. Timothy’s eyes lit up the moment he saw him.
“Uncle Jake!” Timothy shouted, running toward him. “Why are you outside? Why didn’t you come inside p>
Jake knelt down to meet him at eye level, forcing a small, tired smile. “Hey, little man,” he said softly, his voice thick with guilt. “I… I did something really bad to your mommy. That’s why I’m outside p>
Timothy frowned, his little brow scrunching. “Really? Did it hurt her? Can I help p>
Jake shook his head, swallowing hard. “No, buddy. That’s for me to fix. You just need to be a good boy, okay? That’s all I ask. I promise I’ll take care of it p>
Timothy hesitated, looking between Chloe and Jake. “I’ll be good… but… can I help you talk to her?” he asked earnestly. “I really like when you’re laughing with Mom p>
Jake reached out and ruffled his hair gently. “No, buddy. This is something I have to fix myself. You just do your best at school, okay?” New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on.net
Timothy nodded solemnly, satisfied with the answer. “Okay. I can do that p>
Chloe led Timothy down the steps and toward the car, giving Jake a sideways glance. “She’s not ready,” she reminded him softly. “But you waiting… it shows her that you’re serious. That you’re willing to take responsibility for your actions. At least, that counts for something p>
Jake closed his eyes, a shudder running through him. “I hope it does,” he whispered, his voice almost lost in the morning air. “I hope she sees that I know how badly I hurt her. That I… I never wanted to hurt her. That I was wrong in every way p>
He looked up at the window, knowing Bella was probably watching, feeling the tension of the moment pressing down on both of them. He wanted to apologize. He wanted to explain. He wanted her to know that everything he had done had been a terrible mistake, but the words didn’t come yet and neither was Bella ready to hear him speak.
Bella stood by the window, her hands pressed lightly against the glass, watching as Chloe and Timothy walked away. Tears threatened to spill, and she blinked them back, forcing herself to focus on her son. “He hurt me,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “He really hurt me… and now he’s out there, waiting. Why p>
Her heart ached, torn between anger and the faintest flicker of hope. She didn’t know if she could forgive him yet. She didn’t know if she could even look at him without remembering the pain. But even as she turned away, the thought of Jake standing there, waiting, weighed on her heart.
But she’d try not to think of him and just focus on her sick sister, at least until it was time to go get Timothy.