Van told herself she wouldn't cry, that she wouldn't feel sorry for the things she had to do to survive and for turning out she way she did but her grandfather's words had cut deeper than she let herself believe which was why as soon as she slammed the door to her bedroom shut her eyes were already leaking. She furiously wiped her eyes but it was like a broken faucet.
Damn him. He doesn't know what's like being her, he'd let her father die because he didn't like him, he should be the one feeling guilty for abandoning them and taking her mother from her, he should be doing penance instead, he was judging her condemning her until she was beginning to feel like everything he said about her was true.
Damn Jake Calloway for coming into her life and wrecking it to a point where making amends seemed almost impossible.
Her phone was ringing and she wiped her tears and reached for it on the night stand.
"Hello?"
"Van it's me."
Jake was bouncing on his feet, he couldn't stay still as the sickening feeling that he may have blown his chance at earning her forgiveness was churning his stomach. He couldn't get the look she gave him when she asked him to get leave out of his mind. He was desperate. He didn't know what possessed him to come up with that plan in the first place.
He rubbed his palm across his face.
He heard footsteps and turned around to see Van walking towards him. His spirit lifted and relief was starting to settle in, at least she's agreed to come see him.
A ghost of a smile was beginning to form on his full lips and it was too late when he saw the murderous look in her eyes.
Gathering what strength she had left Van shoved him so hard he stumbled.
"How dare you!?" She shoved him again pounding her fists against his chest.
"How dare you come back into my life acting you own it? You had no right to pull that stunt you did tonight. Were you hoping to get my grandfather on your side so I wouldn't say no to you is that it?"
" Believe me that wasn't my intention at all. I was desperate I didn't know what I could do so you'd see how sincere my love is. I love you Van and there's not a day that goes by since you left that I don't regret what I did. Please come back."
He looked so miserable, his voice sounded dejected and he still looked so breathtaking but Van was angry.
" Please stay away from me Jake you're not only hurting me but my baby as well."
Van realised too late what she said as his eyes went wide.
" Baby? You mean… " his eyes fell on her flat tummy awe and he moved closer. "We.. I.. am going to be a father?" He laughed with mirth, the sound echoing across the park. "I can't believe this is real, I'm going to be a dad." He said incredulously his hand reaching for her stomach but stepped back.
"This doesn't change anything Jake." The mirthful grin slipped from his face to be replaced by a frown of confusion.
"What do you mean if course this changes everything."
This is why she didn't want him to know about the baby just yet, he'd pressure her into coming back to him.
"I am not having this conversation with you right now."
"Why did you keep it from me I had the right to know?" He demanded.
" Jake… "
" I have the right to know I'm going to be a father. Were you ever going to tell me? "
She scoffed." Of course I was going to tell you only when the time is right."
" And when is that? "
" I don't know! " She snapped. " I don't know okay. " She sighed. " You think this is easy for me? I don't want to be pressured into getting back together. "
" And what about me? You can't keep me away from my child Van I won't let you."
" Who said anything about keeping the child away from you? "
He grabbed both her shoulders with his hands. " Then come back home with me."
The hope shining in his eyes made her heart ache.
" I can't."
" Please don't do this to me."
Van tried to shrug off his hands from her shoulders but his grip tightened.
"Please let me go Jake."
She was squirming at the pressure of his hands but he didn't seem to notice. Suddenly he was pulled away from her and a fist was shoved in his face.
"Get your filthy hands off her!"