Crossroads Of Hearts

Chapter Four

Nolan's decision catches me off guard.

“Marie, let me drive you home so I can get to know your house and importantly, meet your son”

.

I am uncertain how to respond, I hesitate for a moment before responding. "Okay... but why now?”

“I want to meet your son, you call him..”

“Simeon” I say, correcting him, softly. “His name is Simeon” .

“Yes, Simeon” he says nodding, “Can we go now?”

“Okay”

We leave his office and head to where he parked his car.

Nolan opens the car for me and I can’'t help but remember the good memories we had. I slip inside, while he walks around to the driver's seat and starts the engine.

As the car hums to life and the city blurs past us, memories from our past flood my mind. There was a time when things were simpler, when it was just us, before the complications and the heartache.

I glance at Nolan, wondering if he's thinking about the same things.

“Nolan, do you mean you haven't been in any relationship since you left. You are acting so innocent” I say, breaking the silent.

“I never said I am innocent, but you went too far by getting married and now having a child. Well, I got into a relationship with someone else” he admit “But I broke up with her because I want someone just like you, someone who acts, smiles, laughs, talks like you and that's not possible” he says, his eyes flickering between the road and mine.

“Hey! Pass this left side” I say suddenly, directing him away from a turn he was about to make.

Nolan shifts the car to the left as I instruct.

As we arrive, the gatekeeper opens the gate as he saw me.

As my son sees me, he runs out to hug me tightly. “mum, but you said you wouldn't be coming back late”

“Simeon, I am sorry”

“No problem mum” he says, “Who is he?” Simeon asks as Nolan get down from the car.

,

“He's my friend” I say, ruffling my hand through Simeon's hair. “Go inside darling, we will join you shortly”

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 this your new man?” Simeon asks innocently as we step inside.

I am taken aback for a brief moment as his question caught me off guard. 'What do you mean Simeon? What do you mean by -' your man'? Your father is the only man I know,' I find my voice a tad more pitched than I mean to as I kindly dismiss his inquiries.

Nolan chuckles softly, a smile appears in his lips, but he remains silent..

“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” he turns to Nolan "What's your name, sir?”

His candidness throws me off and I am struck dumb for a moment, unable to speak. I look at Nolan and see that his expression of happiness has changed into that of concern. “Simeon. This is complicated. Nolan here is an old friend of mine. Let's just focus on having a nice evening for today, 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.

"I know you love me, and I love you too," I say, my 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 whose eyes are fills with hope, and then to Nolan whose eyes are fill with longing.

“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 breathe, “Simeon, I know you want the best for me, but things aren't just easy the way you are saying it”

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 is nice knowing that someone really cares about us”

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

I breathe in and out deeply, “I’m going to think about this, okay?”

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

“Marie, i am sorry but I won't allow you to work in my company, not even in any company” Nolan says firmly. “You are going to claim what's rightfully yours. You will confront him and let him know that it's either he builds you a company or gives you enough money to start a new one. If he can't decide we will have to take law into our hands

“Mr. Nolan? That's revenge?” Simeon says, his eyes wide with shock.

Nolan's gaze soften as he turns to Simeon, “Cutie, this isn't revenge. This is just setting things right. Sometimes people ned a little push to do the right things”

“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?”