Unexpected Eva (Triple Trouble #3)(109)

“Deep down, I know you are a good man. He is in there somewhere. I knew him once. I would never have married you if you weren’t. Even though you gave up on us, I am still here for you. But you need to get professional help, Ewan. If you go to prison. Go. Take your punishment. Get better. I’ll be always here for you and so will the boys. They need their father. We need to be a family. For them. I forgive you for everything. I know this isn’t you.”

He can’t look at me and I know he’s ashamed of himself.

“Okay,” he says. I rest my forehead against his. “I’m so sorry, Eva.”

“I know.”

Being a partnership for our boys is essential. He needs to work with me in order to bring up two healthy boys, mentally and physically.

After the things that have happened between us, we will never be the same.

However, taking a higher path for my boys and showing them what a healthy divorced couple looks like? I will do that for them.

To keep the peace and to keep my sanity.

Every day, I will stand tall and wear my crown from my boys.

I’ve said it a bazillion times before. Divorce sucks.





Knox

I can’t listen to this. She says she wants to be a family with him.

She’s right. The boys do need their father.

Their real one.

I push myself off the wall outside Ewan’s cubicle. Shoving my hands into the pockets of my jeans, I drop my head to my chest and drag my lead-weight body down the hospital corridor, step by heavy step.

Heading out of the hospital entrance, I pull my padded jacket around me. The first snow of winter. There will be a few more weeks of it now.

It’s bitter tonight. Or morning. Or whatever the hell time it is.

“What are you doing here?”

Charlie.

That’s a weighted question, because now I don’t know.

“Sergeant Taylor called me to let me know Ewan had been in an accident. He helped with Eva’s injunction against him. I wanted to check on Eva. Make sure she isn't upset. Or needed help with the boys,” I trail off.

She’s not upset. She’s getting back together with him.

I replay her words she said to Ewan in my head. We need to be a family.

“Don’t worry. I was leaving.” I side-eye him.

I haven’t seen him since our fight. My nose has almost healed; another week and it should be good. I was right. He broke it. But the bruising around my eye has taken longer to disappear. There are still some yellow remnants.

I trudge back to my car across the snow-ridden parking lot. The delicate snowflakes hit me like mini meteorites, each one burning a hole in my heart.

“I was wrong about you, Knox,” he shouts into the space between us.

I stop in my tracks.

“I’m sorry. Eva told me everything tonight. The things you did for her. I am very grateful for what you have done for my daughter and her boys. You were there for her.”

Not anymore.

“I wasn’t. I’ve been selfish and narrow-minded, and I am truly sorry. I know I ruined our friendship and I will never forgive myself for that. Eva told me I was a stubborn old fool, and I have been. She’s not speaking to me. She quit the dance studio. She’s selling her house. Ewan has racked up three credit cards in her name. He’s the gift that keeps on giving. My poor girl is broken. She said she’s moving to Bayview.”

I fly around to face him.

What?

“She’s leaving, Knox. Starting again.”

Ah, with Ewan. A fresh beginning. That makes sense.

I walk back in Charlie's direction. “Will you give her this, please?” I pull my wallet from the inside pocket of my jacket. From the depth of the coin section, I fish out what I’m looking for.

“I hope Ewan recovers and gets the help he needs.” I place the miniscule gold screwdriver into Charlie’s hand.

“You should give it to her yourself.”

“I don’t think it's right for me to do that anymore.”

Not if she is getting back with her husband.

“Good night, Charlie.”

“Do you love her?” he calls across the echoing parking lot.

My hand stalls on the door handle of my car. “More than you can ever imagine,” I respond.

I don’t look back.





CHAPTER 29





Eva

“You shouldn't be here.” I turn away from my father.

“Yes, I should. You are my daughter, and you need your family right now.”

“Please go.” I stab the buttons on the hospital coffee machine. I hate coffee, but I’ll take caffeine any way I can get it right now.

“No. I’m staying. And your mother will be here with Ella and Eden any minute.”

“Ella should be in bed resting. She has the baby to think about.”

“She’s tough, our Ella. You know that. Nothing will stop her from coming.”

“Stop speaking to me. I am mad at you. Why is this not working?” I bend down to have a look at the nozzle on the machine.

“Here, let me do it.” Dad moves me aside.

Whatever he does, he gets it working and hands me my hot coffee in a plastic cup.

“I hate hospitals. And the coffee. That is truly vile.” I screw up my face at the bitter liquid.