Chapter 10
I pull up to Brandon’s family home, the familiar driveway that I haven’t seen in weeks now feels foreign. The house is quiet, too quiet, and I feel a little uneasy as I step out of the
car.
This isn’t the kind of visit I imagined when I used to picture coming here. Back then, I saw myself coming over for Sunday dinners or just hanging out, not for this.
I hesitate for a moment before I walk up to the front door, my heart pounding in my chest. I haven’t really gone to visit Brandon since the wedding, since everything came crashing down between us.
Is he really that sick? And why am I coming here to help him when he broke my heart into pieces? Does any of these make sense?
I knock once, then twice, and the door swings open to reveal Brandon’s mother, Caroline.
Her face is a mixture of relief and exhaustion, and when she sees me, she doesn’t even hesitate.
“Aria, thank you so much for coming,” she says, pulling me into a hug that takes me by surprise.
I stiften at first, but then I relax, feeling the warmth of her embrace.
“Of course, Caroline. I… I didn’t know what to expect, but I couldn’t just leave him like that.”
Caroline pulls back, wiping a tear from her eye with the back of her hand.
“You’re a good person, Aria. I’m so glad you’re here. I know it’s been hard, but he really needs you. I’m just so grateful you showed up.”
My stomach twists at the mention of Brandon.
“I don’t know if I can be the one he needs, but… I’ll try.”
She smiles softly, nodding.
“I know it’s a lot, but just seeing you here means the world to him. I’m going to step out for a bit–I just need a moment to breathe. You’ll be okay, right?”
Inod, even though I’m not sure of anything at that moment. “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”
With one last look at me, Caroline leaves, closing the door behind her, and I’m standing alone in the hallway, the weight of what I’m about to face pressing down on me.
I walk down the hall toward Brandon’s room, my legs feeling like lead with each step.
When I open the door, I’m not prepared for what I see. He’s lying in bed, his face pale and drawn, looking nothing like the man I once knew.
His usual confidence is gone, replaced by a vulnerability I’m not sure I can handle.
He glances up when I enter, his eyes lighting up, but then they quickly flicker with guilt and pain.
“Aria,” he rasps. His voice is hoarse. “You came.”
I force a smile, though it doesn’t reach my eyes.
“Yeah, I came. I didn’t know what to expect, but I’m here now.‘
>>
He reaches for his water on the bedside table, but his hands tremble so badly that I step forward to grab it for him.
The moment I hand it to him, our fingers brush, and for a second, I see a flicker of the man I had fallen in love with.
pron had fa thin.
But it’s quickly replaced by the reality of everything that has happened, the betrayal, the lies.
“Thanks,” he mutters, taking a sip of the water.
I step back, unsure of what to do. He’s sick, that much is obvious, but I don’t know how much I can take care of him.
How can I be here for him after everything he’s done?
bution conveyourway
“Aria,” he says my name softly. “I’m sorry. For everything. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I need you to know that I never wanted to hurt you.”
I clench my fists at my sides, trying to keep my emotions in check.
“Brandon, you don’t get to apologize for everything and expect it all to just magically go away. You hurt me in ways I didn’t think were possible, and I’m not sure I can just forget that.”
He looks away, pain dancing in his eyes, but he doesn’t argue.
“I know. I know I don’t deserve you, Aria. I’m just… I’m not the man I was when we were together. I’ve made so many mistakes, and I don’t expect you to forgive me. I don’t even deserve to ask you to.”
I swallow hard, feeling the sting of his words. I want to believe him. I want to believe that he’s truly sorry, but the hurt is too fresh, too raw.
“I don’t know what to do with all of this,” I say, my voice breaking. “I don’t know if I can just jump back in and pretend like everything is okay. I don’t even know if I want to.”
There’s a long silence between us, and I can feel the weight of the unspoken words hanging in the air. It’s too heavy and I know it’s going to crush me to the fullest.
“I understand,” Brandon says lowly, more like a whisper.
“I don’t expect you to be okay with everything right away, But I need you to know that I’m trying to get better. I don’t want to be the man I was before. And I need you, Aria. I need you to help me, even if it’s just for now. Please.”
It’s then that I realize Caroline has left. She’s gone. And now I’m here, taking care of him. The very thing I hate most right now.
Taking care of someone who has betrayed me, who has hurt me in ways I can’t even explain.
I glance at the clock on the wall, the minutes ticking by slowly. I can’t leave him like this. And yet, I’m not sure if I can stay.
“Okay,” I finally speak, my voice quiet, almost uncertain.
“But I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing this because you need help, and I can’t just leave you like this.”
Brandon’s face softens, and I don’t know, I see something resembling gratitude in his eyes.
Thank you,” he whispers.
1 nod, trying to push away the emotions that are threatening to overwhelm me.
“Don’t make me regret this, Brandon. Don’t make me wish I hadn’t come.”
He doesn’t answer, and I don’t expect him to. Instead, I start making my way around his room, gathering the things I know he’ll need.
My hands shake, but I keep my focus. I hate this. I hate being in this position. But I can’t walk away–not when he needs someone. Only reason is because he’s sick, and his mother requested for me to help him. Not that I love it or something.
