Chapter 36: Chapter 36

"Sorry, I did not mean to startle you," Acwell said apologetically.

"I am fine, don't worry," I replied and switched off the stove because the food was ready. e c

"Please take a seat. The food is ready. You are okay with pasta, right?"

"Anything is fine."

Acwell placed Kai on the high chair. And I prepare the table. He helped me to put the plate and glass on the table.

We eat in silence. I am still in shock that Acwell is right in front of me. At some point, I wanted to because I missed him. But it is not right.

"How are you?" Acwell asked, breaking the silence.

"I am okay, and you?" I replied without looking at him.

"I am happy to see you two finally. I have been trying to find you for a long time."

"Did you? I find it hard to believe."

"I did, but nobody wants to tell me where you are. And you don't reply to my messages or answer my calls. I only find you through your friend Camila and to lie about asking for a divorce. The last message you said was you will only reply if it's about divorce."

What? He lied.

"So, why are you here? What do you want?"

"I came here to see my wife and son."

"Why?"

"Don't I have the right to do that?"

I sighed. "What do you want, Acwell?"

"Why did you left, Kamiah?"

"That's not the right question. Why should I stay?"

"You are right. I had been drinking that I was almost not in the house. What's the use of you there?"

"Correct!"

"But that's not really the thing that pushed you to leave. Catrina sent you a message, right?"

"How dare that bitch of yours to send me that kind of message!?" I closed my eyes and controlled myself because I remembered Kai was there. I should not shout in front of him.

"I am sorry," Acwell said in a low voice.

Kai cried. And I felt terrible that I scared him, so I picked him up.

"Sssssh... I am sorry. Mommy is not angry at you," I said in a low voice, trying to calm Kai.

I went to his room, leaving Acwell in the kitchen. I sat on his bed, humming a song, and he stopped crying. After 10 minutes, he slept. I lay him on the bed and went back to the kitchen. Acwell was still there.

"Are you done eating?" I asked.

"Yes, thank you," he said.

I started clearing the table, and he stood to help me.

"There is no need to help me. I can take care of this."

But he continued to do so. I was about to wash the dishes, but Acwell started talking.

"That night, I was not able to come home early. My daughter was sick, and we had to take her to the hospital. Catrina was scared to be alone with her. But I did not know she sent that message. I am so sorry for what she said."

"First of all, you did not tell me that they are in Dubai. Secondly, if you have told me that they are there and you want to see your daughter, I will not deny you that. It is your right, and so is your daughters. No matter how hurt and angry I am, I will keep it to myself. But you will never hear me say no. And for her to accuse me as I forbid you to see your daughter hurts a lot. I almost want to call and yell at her. But I thought of your daughter. We left for us not to be a hindrance."

"I know that."

"Why did you not tell me that they are there?"

"I did not want to hurt you. I know you will allow me to do it, but your eyes will not tell me how much pain it would cause you. And I don't want to see that."

"And you think by lying, I will not get hurt?"

"I know it was wrong. I was having a hard time deciding what I should do. I wanted to see my daughter act like a father, but I also don't want to hurt you. It was one of the reasons that I have been drinking."

"Acwell, either way, I am hurt."

"I know. I am so sorry. I was waiting for the right time to tell you. And when I told Catrina that I am already married, I was planning to tell you about them, too. But Amara got sick, and the next day you left."

"Why did it took you a long time to tell me?"

"Catrina and I are constantly arguing. Whenever I visit Amara, we always end up fighting that I regret going there. I mostly ignored her calls and messages. But thinking of my daughter hurts me. So, no matter how I hate Catrina, I still go there for my daughter."

"For sure, the reason you two fight is because of me and Kai, right?"

"Yes."

"That's why I left. I am tired of being entangled and get blamed for the mess that you two created! You both are so selfish!"

"We are! You never wanted to be part of this. You got forced to accept it because it was already there. Yet, Catrina made you feel that you are why she thought I was neglecting my daughter. I wasn't. I tried to be there for her, but Catrina still could not accept that we could not be together even until now. It's one of the reasons why we argue."

"And that's not my problem. I asked you to choose. I did not force you to marry me."

"Kamiah, marrying you was the best thing that ever happened to me."

"Oh, really? Because it doesn't show."

"I messed up, I know. I am here to correct it."

"Well, it's too late, Acwell. I have enough pain. I cannot keep on hurting. So, just go."

"Kamiah, please!"

"I said go! Leave me alone, Acwell!"

"Please!"

"Get out of my apartment!!"

With that, Acwell turned and left. And I was left crying.