Chapter 116

Alex stopped in his tracks, and his eyes were on Elena. He didn't know what to say, and they both stared at each other in silence.

His heart skipped as soon as possible as he remembered what Elena had just announced. 

“How long have you kept this from me, Elena?” He asked, taking a step forward and fixing his gaze on her. He wanted answers. He had been spending time with Elena, and he had never paid attention to such before, and she didn't even announce it to him.

Elena sobbed, and she fixed her eyes on the floor. “For a couple of weeks,” she announced. Her voice trembled heavily as she sniffed.

His heart slammed hard against his chest. It felt as if it had been pierced with a knife. “Fuck,” Alex muttered under his breath. “Who else knows about it? Does Zoey know about it?”

Elena shook her head tirelessly, “Nobody knows. Not Zoey, not Nicklaus, and it should be that way,” she spoke and walked over to the couch. She collapsed on the couch.

Alex took in a deep breath and walked towards her. "You don't have to blame yourself, Elena. It's fine. I still don't care if you are pregnant. My feelings for you still remain genuine. I want you to be happy.” Alex spoke; his voice was low and husky,

He wasn't ready to give up on her. It was a very quick decision to make; he didn't think twice about it. He wants her. All of her. He was also ready to take care of the child.

Elena stood up from the couch. “Just stop, Alex. Stop it, please,” she shouted. “I am not giving love a chance again. Not anymore. I want to raise this child on my own and start over again.” Elena paused, and she and Alex made eye contact.

“I have given love chances, but what did it do? It ruined me. My life and my dreams are all lost. I'm sorry, Alex, but you need to see the brighter picture. We can't keep doing this, please. Don't you understand? I can't do this,” she spoke as tears rolled down her cheeks uncontrollably.

“What do you mean? Alex stood up and asked.

“Have you forgotten about how Zoey always stood by you? Don't you get the message?” Elena shouted, feeling frustrated and angry that Alex couldn't figure things out.

Alex got the message, and he looked away. He remembered Zoey and all of the sacrifices she made for him. He was so carried away he didn't notice her efforts.

After a few seconds, he turned to Elena. “Zoey had been in love with me all this while?” he asked.

“What else could you call it? You should go for someone who values you. I don't think I will give love a chance ever again. I just want to raise this child alone and start over.” Elena explained, walking to the other side of the room.

Alex stood there in silence; he didn't know what to do or what to say. Be never realised that Zoey had always loved him. He was always carried away by the thought of Elena; now he feels guilty for it.

He remembered how she would call him and tell him stories for hours just to cheer him up. Or how she would cook well and bring for him.

“Excuse me,” Elena spoke and walked into her room. She gently closed the door behind her and rested on it. Tears started streaming down her eyes, and she sobbed uncontrollably.

She couldn't believe that she had just opened up to Alex about her present condition and told him how Zoey had always felt fit for him. She wished she didn't say a word, especially about Zoey. She just wanted to be free, so she had to do it.

She felt proud that she stood her ground and wanted to focus on raising her child. Love will always be the last thing on her mind right now. She is beginning to feel determined to make a better version of herself.

Alex walked into his room and closed the door. He lay on his bed and fixed his eyes on the ceiling. He felt guilty for constantly hurting Zoey’s feelings but showing Elena so much love and attention.

That's when he started to remember what Zoey usually called him, who she was always communicating with even when he travelled abroad or when he was sick and alone.

He remembered how she would always look at him whenever they were together, and he remembered how she would make him smile. How she would crack jokes and try meals:

He thought about everything, and he became confused. All his life he had always loved Elena, and it was difficult to notice that Zoey had always had feelings for him.

He started feeling guilty because he didn't know how he would take the whole thing. He was eager to be the father of Elena’s child because he knew that Nicklaus would be married to Sarah in a few days.

They both lay on the bed at night with their eyes wide open. None of them could get enough sleep. They stayed up all night long thinking about what would become of them.