And I hate every single bone in their bodies.
“What are you thinking about?”
Shifting in my seat, I look up at Drake. “I was just thinking about my parents.”
Drake looks disgusted. “Why the fuck would you want to think about them?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. I know they’re not thinking about me.”
“They aren’t worthy of your thoughts. They are not and never were worthy of you.”
“Then, why did you associate with them?”
“Because I have a lot of business ventures, and I was told that your father’s expertise in the field of law was second to none. He’s a ruthless lawyer. I will give him that. He’s just a fucking scumbag.”
“Is he still your lawyer?”
“All ties were cut the moment you turned eighteen. After meeting you and knowing how they treated you, my interests changed. My only goal was to make sure you had a proper upbringing.”
“Why me? Why not someone else?”
Drake smiles. “Because I could see the innocence in you. Despite the fact that your parents were despicable people, I could tell that their influence hadn’t rubbed off on you. I wanted to keep it that way. One look from you, and I knew I had to protect you. I saw something in you—something that told me you were just as invested in me as I was in you. I knew by the way you looked at me. It was almost as if your eyes were pleading with me to help you. How could I not have answered your call?”
I think back to that memory as a child. I will always remember our very first meeting because it was the first time that I felt a real connection to another human being. Drake’s right. There definitely was something there between us. Throughout everything we’ve been through together, there’s always one thing that’s been constant in our lives.
Our connection.
“Do you love me, Drake?”
He frowns. “That’s a very odd question to ask. I would have thought it obvious. I’ve also told you often enough.”
“That’s not answering the question.”
Grabbing my hand, Drake strokes it tenderly with his thumb. “Despite what you think of me, my love for you is undeniable. I have never loved—nor will I ever love—anyone as fiercely as I do you. The only one who will come a close second will be our baby.”
He smiles a big, heart-warming smile, and I make an effort to bite my lip to hide mine. It’s useless, though. I don’t know if it’s the pregnancy or not, but I want to cry and crawl onto his lap and hump him all at the same time.
“And despite the fact that you haven’t told me, I know that you love me too. You’re just too stubborn to admit it.” And with that, he orders the cheque, and I’m left as dumbfounded as I normally am with him. How quickly he can turn my emotions upside down.
Present Day
It’s scan day today, and for some reason, I’m as nervous as hell. I have found myself in a situation where I know I need to start reading up on the pregnancy and preparing myself for what’s to come, but I always seem to find an excuse. Studying is definitely one of them. I started college a few days ago, and everything’s going extremely well. The only problem I have is that people tend to either walk the other way when they see me or they act extra nice. Even the teachers are giving me preferential treatment, and I hate it. It’s actually gotten so bad that I’ve had to have a talk with my tutor to request that I’m dealt with in the same manner as everyone else. Of course, I tell people that Drake and I are together as I feel I have to out of some strange, deep sense of loyalty towards him. He is never far away. He drops me off at college every day and picks me up afterwards. I know it’s partly for show, but I’m also certain that he wants to make sure I’m safe. No matter the reason, all I know now is that my feelings for him aren’t going away in a hurry. A part of me wants them to so that I can put all the things that have happened to me in the past. I should close that chapter in my life and move on with a brand new, fresh start.
But, I can’t. I can’t move past the fact that I not only need Drake, but I want him too. I miss him when he’s not here, and I find myself randomly texting him for no reason. I could deny him and the feelings I have for him, but I won’t. Despite the circumstances, we’re married, and we’re about to have a baby together. My head says that I can do this on my own, but my heart wants the marriage and the family life. A life that I was never truly blessed with as a child.
“You’re fidgeting.”
I look across at Drake, who’s sitting beside me in the car. “I guess I’m nervous about the scan results. I also need to pee really badly.”