Crossroads Of Hearts

Chapter Four

After the discussion, Nolan decides to follow me home to see child.

"Nolan, do you mean you haven't been in any relationship since you left?"

"After a year, I actually got into a relationship with a lady, but I had to break up with her because I want someone just like you," he says, focusing on the steering wheel of his car.

“Do you mean, you love me so much?”

“Yes, I do” he says, placing his left hand on her fingers, “I always love you”

“Are you saying you love me that much?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper, filled with uncertainty.

His gaze softens as he places his left hand gently over hers, his thumb brushing her skin. “Yes, I do,” he murmurs, his voice steady and sincere. “I’ve always loved you, more than you’ll ever know.”

I nods, “Just pass this left side, my house is over there” she points.

As we arrive, the gatekeeper opens the gate as soon as they see me.

My son runs to me and hugs me tightly. "Mummy, I thought you said you wouldn’t come late."

"Yes, Simeon, I'm sorry."

"Who's he?" Simeon asks, looking curiously at Nolan.

"He's my friend," I say softly, ruffling Simeon's hair. "Go ahead inside, sweetheart. I'll be right behind you."

Turning to Nolan, I offer a small smile. "Come on, let's go inside." My voice is steady, but the mix of emotions swirling inside me is impossible to ignore.

“Mummy, is he your new man?” Simeon asks innocently as we step inside.

I freeze for a second, caught off guard by his question. “What do you mean, Simeon? What do you mean by ‘your man’? Your father is the only man I know,” I say, my voice a little sharper than intended as I gently shun his curiosity.

Nolan chuckles softly, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, but he remains silent. The tension in the air lingers, and I can feel his eyes on me, even as I avoid his gaze.

“I saw Dad’s message the other day,” Simeon continues, his tone matter-of-fact. “He said he wants to divorce you, so having a new man isn’t bad. What’s your name, ma’am?”

I’m taken aback by his bluntness, struggling to find the right words. I glance at Nolan, whose smile fades into a look of concern. “Well, Simeon, that’s a complicated question,” I begin, trying to sound calm. “This is Mr. Nolan. He’s an old friend of mine. But let’s focus on having a nice evening together, okay?”

“Why don’t we talk about it now, Marie?” Nolan says, his voice gentle but firm. “I love you. I traveled because I wanted us to have everything we needed before getting married. I built a company and established it for you. I love you so much, and I want us to be together again.”

His words hang in the air, laden with emotion. I look at him, feeling the weight of his confession and the gravity of our situation.

“Why don’t we talk about it now, Marie?” Nolan says, his voice gentle but earnest. “I love you. I traveled because I wanted us to have everything we needed before getting married. I built a company and established it for you. I love you so much, and I want us to be together again.”

He looks at me with an intensity that makes my heart race, his gaze holding a promise of the future we once dreamed of together.

"I know you love me, and I love you too," I say, my voice trembling as I show him the ring on my finger. "But Nolan, I am still married. I am married.”

"Mummy, Daddy doesn’t want us anymore. Why not give Mr. Nolan a chance? He seems kind and he’s here with us now.”

I look at Simeon, his innocent eyes are filled with hope, and then at Nolan, whose gaze is filled with a mixture of longing and determination.

“Marie,” Nolan says softly, “I know this is complicated, but I’ve never stopped loving you. I want us to continue from where we stopped. I want to show you that I love you and still care for you, please….”

I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of the decision pressing on me. “Simeon,” I say gently, “I know you want the best for us, for you and I. But things are not that simple. Though, I have love Nolan and I still do, but things aren't simple the way you think they are”

Nolan reaches out and takes my hand, his touch warm and reassuring. “Marie, I understand it’s not easy. I’m not asking for everything to be perfect right away. I just want the chance to show you that we can build a future together.”

Simeon looks up at me with a hopeful smile. “Mummy, maybe Mr. Nolan can help us find a way forward. It might be nice to have someone who cares about us.”

For a moment, I allow myself to imagine a different future, one where the pain of the past might be eased by the possibility of a new beginning.

“Okay,” I finally say, my voice trembling slightly. “I’m going to think about this, okay?”

“Okay,” Nolan replies softly, his eyes filled with understanding.

I pause, remembering what I went to his office to do. “Nolan, what about the job? I came to your place to find work.”

“No! I won't allow you to work like this,” Nolan says firmly. “You’re going to claim what’s rightfully yours. Either he builds you the company back or gives you the money to start a new one. If he can’t choose, then we’ll have to take matters into our own hands.”

“Revenge?” Simeon asks, his eyes wide with shock.

Nolan’s gaze softens as he turns to Simeon. “Not revenge, young man. Just making sure that things are set right. Sometimes, people need a little push to do the right thing.”

“Mr. Nolan, you can't be with my mother and then seek revenge on my father. Will you choose to be with my mother and leave the past behind, or will you pursue reclaiming the company you built for her and not be in a relationship with her?”