CHAPTER 119

Geneveive Tessa Robert

I spent the weekend explaining to the twins why Kyle wouldn’t be repeating his visit. I didn’t want them to become attached to him. As much as I enjoyed his surprise visit and incredible dinner, I wasn't about to dissolve my coldness towards him. He made promises before, and guess what? He ruined it with a divorce paper and a denial of what he felt for me.

I am sorry, but I don't forgive and forget easily.

He had changed obviously, but I couldn't just accept fully that he was here for me and not because I wasn’t the barren woman anymore. Everything in me wanted to believe him, but there was still that doubt lurking in my bones. What if everything was a ploy? You know? You show up, pretend like you’re a repentant soul, and when the lady falls fully, you take the kids and even her wealth! Kyle could do something like that. He wasn’t above tricking people to get what he wanted, or revenge. 

I picked up the flowers that James had dropped earlier today on the kitchen table. From an anonymous admirer, he had said, but we knew better. Kyle King is the secret admirer, and his signature—"Yours 'forever"—was written on the note.

He was always my forever, and I was his eternity years ago. I placed them in a vase. I couldn’t let a beautiful bouquet of roses go to waste. Not today. Their fragrance was intoxicating, and well, it will be nice to finally keep a bouquet from him. 

‘I think he’s a nice man, ma’am. Aren’t you going to work today?’ Estella said, bringing out the cupcakes from the oven. I had forgotten she was in the kitchen with me, preparing cupcakes for Hope’s Brownies Club. They were meeting here today, and Hope sang about her favourite red velvet cupcakes and how her friends loved them.

The demands the twins made were sometimes amazing. 

I feigned ignorance and replied, ‘What man are we talking about, Estella? The new neighbour? I think he’s got a crush on you, not me. He’s also not my type. He’s a talker., dear.’

She chuckled. ‘You know who I am talking about, ma’am. Also, the new neighbour is actually a famous actor, or used to be nyway. I knew you didn’t recognise him because you find paranormal movies boring.’

I laughed, ‘I don’t find them boring but disturbing. They are so filled with activities that feel real. Anyway, back to the subject, who are we talking about?’

‘Kyle King. The father of your children? The twins' dad?’

‘Oh, he’s not their dad, though, but their father. I am their dad. I raised them to be the beautiful angels they are today. He’s just their father. What about him?’

She sighed, staring fully at me. ‘I know he did a lot of bad things to you, but it's been almost six years, dear. Aren’t you ready to let go? Forgive me if I am crossing boundaries, but I need to tell you the truth. You shouldn’t let the past hold you back from living and enjoying the present. I saw how happy you were that night you went over to his place. Then he came here, repeated the same thing, and you didn’t stop smiling all through the weekend. He makes you happy, dear. Why not give him full permission into your life?’

I shook my head as a response. She didn’t understand how heartbroken I was then. If not for the twins, family, and friends, I would have died of depression. They helped me live, and I am happy now. I didn’t need Kyle at this point. No, I didn't.

‘I don’t need him in my life, Estella. I just allowed him here because of the children, and he has a right to know them. But that’s all he will get from me. I am not magnanimous. Do you know the weight of pain I carried in my chest for years? It was so large that I was suffocating. I had to learn how to not love him, and now you want me to love him again?’ No. I can’t do that.’

She took my hand and said, ‘I won’t force you to do it, dear. I just hate to see you unhappy, okay? If you can’t let him in, at least allow him to know the kids better for their sake.’

I nodded and hugged her. I couldn’t take offence to what she just said. She was a second mother to me, and so far, her advice has been helpful. 

‘I will think about it, Estella; thank you. Can we return to the cupcakes now? Hope and her gang will be home soon.’

_

The stores in town were against me tonight. How could I not find a black armless gown in six stores? They either had long sleeves or short sleeves, and they weren’t part of my option.

I should have listened to Vera’s cousin, Chloe, when she insisted that we change the bridesmaids  colors. I wanted to please Vera so much that I forgot that shopping during the summer was a bad idea in the United Kingdom. I stepped into the last store on my list, hoping they would have the perfect bridesmaid outfit. 

I couldn’t disappoint my best friend. We had all been praying for the day when she would finally get married, and that day was here—on Saturday, to be precise. The hall had been chosen, and decorations and interiors were in progress. Her family had arrived yesterday and was currently receiving the best treatment from Murphy’s parents. All the bridesmaids had gotten their outfits except me because I always like last-minute shopping and the kids had taken most of my free time. 

Also, a certain Kyle King

I glanced through the sections but found nothing worthy of a bridemaid outfit. The sales attendant finally came to my rescue, but the one I wanted was bigger than me. They promised to call in a tailor to trim it to my size, and I paid generously for the gown. I even added an extra tip. 

The mission to get a bridesmaid gown was accomplished. The next stop was getting heels that would fit the gown. Luckily, the store had the perfect fit. I felt fulfilled. This was going to be the best wedding ever.