Chapter 234 Her decision
Mariana continued to hold James.
She was trembling, and he provided the emotional support she needed.
“I have never thought past your revenge on what happened abroad.”
Mariana confessed after a long time.
“I never expected anything from you. Because in my eyes, you were just taking revenge. I was a nobody to you, and you were not obligated to care about me.”
“I never saw past that. I never tried to get to know you or understand you.”
“When I saw you kiss Alice, or when someone sent me a photo of two of you kissing while you stood me up for our appointment that day, I believed it without second thoughts. I was not heartbroken, just humiliated.”
“That day, I wanted to clarify matters with you. Talk face to face in a calm and non-urgent environment, and be open. Whatever was going on, I did not want to drag it any further.”
“But when I got the picture, I felt so humiliated. And so stupid for expecting you would give me that basic respect.”
“I was leaving when I ran into Jacob. And you showed up sometime later wearing the same clothes as was in the picture and with swollen lips, proving my point.”
“When you told me you liked me, all I understood was you were not ready to end the drama yet.”
“For me, your revenge was the hard-coded truth.”
“I don’t know what to think, James.”
“I don’t know how to feel.”
“I don’t want this baby. I am not ready. We don’t have a relationship between us. My parents think I am with Liam. But it feels so bad.”
James felt a stab in his heart with every word that she uttered. But he knew he deserved it.Belonging to NôvelDrama.Org.
If he had shown up at that appointment on time, probably things would not have been so bad between them.
But then again, he would have hurt her sooner or later. He loved her without respecting her. He never gave her a choice.
“If you feel bad, cry. I am here. I will always be there for you.”
“If we are fated, I will grow and prove myself worthy of you. If not, it is my loss.”
“Don’t blame yourself.”
He consoled her softly and caressed her hair.
Mariana cried until she fell asleep in his arms.
As much as James wanted to continue holding her, she needed rest to recuperate well.
He laid her down gently without waking her up.
He got a warm wet towel and wiped her face without waking her up.
Then he sat on a stool by her bedside and caressed her tummy.
His first child that he would lose in a matter of days. He only had himself to blame for that.
He whispered a soft sorry and placed a tender kiss on her belly before he held her hand and kept rubbing her arms devoutly.
The next day, Mariana woke up to see James sleeping with his head on the bed. His hands were holding her hand tightly.
She tried to pry away her hands slowly, but he woke up at once.
“Mariana, are you alright?” James asked. His eyes held concern and care.
James’s eyes looked less red and tired. It seemed it was the first time he had slept in a week.
“I feel much better now. Thank you, James. And I am sorry.”
They both knew why she was sorry.
“Mariana, don’t thank me. And please don’t apologize. If you apologize to me, I won’t find a place in all the universe to hide my shame.”
James sincerely said. His voice was dripping with remorse.
“I will probably get discharged today. Henry said he will schedule the appointment for next week, on the same day I am supposed to get a follow-up exam.”
Mariana said firmly. As bad as she felt, her decision was resolute.
“Do you mind if I stay back at Liliana’s place as well?” James asked.
“Why?” She asked.
“I want to take care of you, please,” James begged.
“You don’t have to bother. There are a lot of people at their house,” She said.
James felt even worse at that, “Mariana, it’s not a bother. I want to take care of you. It’s my selfish decision. Even after hurting you, I still want to stay by your side.”
Mariana bit her lips. She was not sure what to think.
Though they had opened up the night before, the fact was she did not have any feelings for him.
James felt his heart clench at her expression, “You don’t have to give in to my selfish whims, Mariana. I will never force you into anything ever again.”
Mariana sighed, “You can stay. It’s fine. And I will appreciate it if you accompany me during the procedure.”
James nodded, “I will. I promise.”
Mariana nodded.
“I should freshen up now.”
She changed the topic.
James helped her up and led her to the bathroom. He helped her with everything that the caretaker was helping her with before.