Sadness mars his expression, and his eyes convey an apology.
“Ria, I need you to sit down before I start. I don’t want you fainting on me or having a panic attack. We already risked way too much bringing you and Adrian out today. We can’t risk bringing in paramedics here too.”
Heavy breathing fills the air and I can feel Noah on the edge of a breakdown.
“Adrian? The baby is named Adrian?”
My eyes fly to Noah’s of their own accord and just like that, all the light and feeling missing from my life comes flooding back when our eyes meet. The numbness fades away and the knife that found itself lodged in my heart cuts deeper as I feel every inch of the pain and fear I had been shoving aside.
Noah trembles and braces his hands over the counter as though he’s stopping himself from reaching over to me. His eyes fill with tears and he’s shaking with every breath.
We do this for a few minutes, simply staring at each other.
Fifteen months.
That’s how long it’s been since I’ve seen him.
Yet the impact of his eyes still leaves me breathless.
He was it for me-- the one person I thought would never betray or leave me.
But here I am, a single mother, an ex-wife forced into hiding because of a case he was working on.
He put me here.
I was pregnant. Alone. Parenting. Alone.
And he has the audacity to waltz back in my life like he had no part in my isolation?
“Ria?” Gabe’s quiet words break the spell Noah and I created in the room.
I falter for a second. I had forgotten that Gabe was even there.
I nod and make my way to the loveseat overlooking the lake and forest behind this cabin I’ve been living in for over a year. I keep my eyes trained on the view, not wanting to break down from the sight of Noah and steeling myself for what Gabe is about to say.
From the corner of my eye, I see Gabe walking around the counter to stand on the opposite side of the room. Noah stays in the kitchen.
Because of the open design of the cabin, somehow we’re all still in the same room together.
“Spit it out, Gabriel.” Noah growls and I spare my ex a quick look over my shoulder.
His head is hung low, a lock of hair falling on to his forehead, but his eyes remain locked on me, as though he’s afraid I’m going to disappear.
Cerulean eyes, cherry lips, and chestnut hair.
I want to weep at the sight of him.
I missed him, despite my best efforts.
But unfortunately, I have spent way too much time crying over him.
All I can do is keep this stoic mask on, pretending I’m okay when I’m not.
Gabe takes a deep breath. “Ria. I am so sorry. I really hope you can understand why I had to do what I did. I hope you and Noah can forgive me someday. I only did this because I care about you both and it was the only way I knew how to keep you both safe.”
“Stop shooting shit Reyes. Tell her what you just told me.”
Noah’s rage is almost palpable now as he shoves off the counter and his jaw tightens. He looks seconds away from unleashing his fury with his fists.