The Return Of His Ex Wife-Chapter 44: Deep Talk

Tara’s POV

I knew I wasn’t the only one who looked so shocked at the moment. Quickly, I rushed forward to meet Richard and knelt by his side.

"It’s okay mom, I’m all better now." He looked so sincere. "I’m all good now, all thanks to you."

I smiled, though my heart was still racing. "Okay, but what happened to you back then?"

"I was so sad when you were so busy with work and you wouldn’t let me meet my dad. Plus aunt Ella was not around too so it was like the world was about to end." The look in his eyes melted my heart that I was forced to pull him close and squeeze him in a warm hug. He kept on muttering; "I’m fine now mommy."

"So what did you end up doing, Richard? How did your mom save you?" Sofia asked.

"She didn’t know, but after seeing that I was a little sick, she didn’t go to work for three whole days and just stayed with me. From morning till night. I didn’t go to school too. It was just me and her, and I healed." Richard said proudly.

"Well thanks for sharing this, my baby." I was still leaning close to him despite his struggle to pull free from my hug.

"Which is why I have a solution. Come stay with us for a while, Arlo. We can watch you all day and take care of you." Richard proposed. Instantly, I let him free, shocked of his response. I got up and gave him an uncomfortable stare.

I wished I knew what was going on in his mind; his expression looked so blank, just plain with no emotion. But it look like he was lost in thought. Was he weighing his options? Maybe he was considering staying with us? My mind was racing at that thought already, but in a good way.

"Just because I will meet my real dad soon doesn’t me I will stop talking to you. You’re still my friend, Arlo."

Again, my gaze locked with Arlo and I could see in his eyes regret. Sofia quickly stepped in. "That sounds like a really good idea! Yes, you can stay with Tara and Richard and Ella too, that’s her name right? I wonder why she isn’t here though..."

"I love how thoughtful you all are being to me right now." Arlo said, already out his way of the room. We all gathered to follow him but he quickened his pace. "I’ll be fine on my own, so please let’s just stop already. I’m sorry, Richard." He said lastly before scurrying out.

"I’ll go after him. Please stay with Richard," I said to Sofia, then rushed after Arlo. By the time I made it to him after half running and half walking, he had covered a lot of distance. We were down a hallway and I could see the elevator in front. I made sure I got to him before he jumped into the elevator and disappeared.

"Arlo, wait up!" Finally, I caught up with him. Arlo turned suddenly that I was forced to halt. "Please, wait. He’s just seven, and even he is trying to look out for you so why are you being so stubborn?"

"I just got so terrified, I’m sorry." He began to say. He wouldn’t look at me as he talked. "I got terrified, okay? I’ve been hoping we would avoid this conversation but I guess here’s the bridge and I just have to cross it."

I tried to act calm but I couldn’t really understand what he was saying. "What do you mean?"

"You. I’m so terrified that you’ll never take my feelings for what it truly was. Tara, I really like you. And I don’t know if I can ever stop, and that’s what scares me the most." There was a way his voice lowered and he pronounced every word as if in a whisper.

Slowly, these devilish piercing eyes made a fixed contact centered on me and despite the way my heart was pounding inside of me, Arlo gained the confidence to move closer erasing the distance between us.

"And staying any closer to you, to Richard...it’s only going to make things worse. Because clearly, it’s so obvious that you don’t feel the same way. And that’s fine."

I wanted to protest, to deny that. But another thing in me said Arlo had been right. Or at least, I would love to believe he was right. I didn’t have feelings for him, I am focused on my son and my career!

My leg muscles was tightening, my body ready to run. Yet, I remained frozen feeling rooted on the spot. I didn’t want to look away...to take my eyes off his. What was this strange feeling? Breath bursting in and out, lips feeling dry and why was I feeling so not in control of my senses!

Suddenly, he moved back creating space between us again. I could finally catch my breath now.

"So I don’t need any more stress, I’m sorry once again." He concluded. He turned to leave but stopped again. Apparently, there was more to say.

"Arlo, I just think that-"

"Do you even know how hurtful those words were for me to hear?" His rage was visible as I watched his hands clenched and unclenched. My heart sank for him.

"I didn’t mean to—"

"I know already. I know that no matter what happens, Arlo will never be my son. I’ll never be his dad! It sucks to hear but you went on and kept reminding me over and over again and I just..." the way he was fidgeting scared the shit out of me, but I moved closer and fell into his shoulders in an attempt to hug him. "No, I’m fine. I don’t..." despite his struggles, I remained glued to his chest, my arms wrapped around him. He stopped struggling and just remained calm.

We both remained still for what seemed like a long time. It felt nice and peaceful.

"I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I would never hurt you, Arlo. I’m so sorry."

I kept saying until the words would sink in. I hoped he believed me.

***

Sofia sighted me and quickly got up on her feet. Richard too was staring at me, waiting to hear what I had to say. He frowned, eyes still looking up to me. "Where’s Arlo?" He asked. Sofia was waiting for my response too.

With my heart sinking in shame, I shook my head. "He still won’t change his mind." I announced. I was even more hurt to find out the reason.

It was because of me. It just started to dawn on me how much influence I held in his life. How could I have let him down like that?

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺