Once, my paranoid love

Miss him? What exactly did he say?

I turned my gaze to Ethan. But he wasn’t there; he’d gone. My eyes were welling up with tears, I couldn’t breathe properly, and my heart ached. I took a good look at them.

“How do you know? How do you know about my past?” I asked.

“Your husband told me,” Ethan replied.

His words echoed in my mind. I lowered my eyes as I tightened my grip.

“But… But I have no courage.”

“If you want to feel your love then go get the courage,” Ethan said.

His blue eyes locked on me, and there was something in them that urged me to take the step.

This time, I felt compelled to take her into my arms.

I noticed little Paul playing, full of joy and excitement. I carefully got up and walked up to them.

I approached her and said, “Baby,” in a low voice.

She turned around, and her innocent eyes met mine. There was an undeniable resemblance to Paul in her features.

“Can I hug you?” I asked, my voice trembling.

She smiled as she glanced at me.

Her smile!

I widened my eyes… it was exactly like Paul. I pressed my lips together. Is this my little Paul? I cried as I touched her with my shaking hands.

“Mom loves you too, baby. I love you a lot,” I hugged her after saying this. I took a deep breath and drew her close to my chest. My hands had stopped trembling.

It was as if I was holding a piece of Paul, a living memory of our love.

Her warmth, her giggles, and the unconditional love in her eyes broke down the walls I had built around my heart.

“I’m sorry. I hurt you. Mom is the worst,” I expressed my remorse.

“Elena,” Derek said as he stroked my back. Paulina called me “mo-ma.”

I leaned forward and kissed her on the brow. It makes me feel exceptionally good. It seems as though a tremendous weight has been lifted off my heart.

“Derek,” I said, taking Derek’s hand in mine.

Ethan was absolutely correct. Paul is right here with me. Paul promised me that he would always be at my side. He’s here, and he’s giving me his best present. It’s our little girl.

“Do…not cry,” Paulina said as she wiped my tears away and gently caressed my face with her tiny palm.

“I love you,” she said. I clutched her to my chest even tighter.

“Mom loves you too, darling,” I murmured as tears streamed down my cheeks.

“Derek,” I said. He gave me a warm smile.

“I’m sorry,” I was about to apologize to him, but he stopped me.

“It’s enough. You don’t have to say anything, Elena,” he stated. I lowered my eyes with regret.

Derek’s point of view.

When I saw Elena approaching us trembling, I froze. I was a little worried. I was going to grab her, but that jerk gestured for me to let go. I took a small step back.

If something awful occurs to Elena, I’ll surely kill that jerk.

Elena, on the other hand, approached Paulina slowly. Elena! I clenched my fist. Can you do this? Can you overcome your fear?

Elena, though, did it after a minute. I exhaled a breath of relief.

Thank God, she did it. She was touched. In her eyes, I could see how much she loved our daughter, and I could see how much she loved Paul.

“Derek,” she said. But I stopped her. I know what my babe is going to say.

“I love you, Elena,” I told her. Elena smiled and I kissed her palm as she nodded. I drew her close to my chest. My family is finally complete. I looked behind me, but he wasn’t there.

**

On the other hand, I know you love me. You don’t need to say it out loud, babe. Elena, I’m always with you. Didn’t I promise you that I wouldn’t abandon you? How can I break my promise, my silly girl?

**

In the days that followed the revelation, life at the seaside resort settled into a semblance of normalcy. I made a conscious effort to spend time with Paulina and Derek.

Despite my attempts to engage with Ethan, our interactions remained strained. Every time I approached him with questions, he skillfully evaded them, redirecting the conversation or finding an excuse to disengage.

It was as if he had built a barrier, preventing me from delving too deeply into him.

I often found Ethan in the company of Paulina, their interactions painting a picture of a devoted father and daughter. The way he cared for her, the laughter they shared-it was a poignant reminder of Paul I had lost.

At times, I would catch a glimpse of them from a distance, and for a fleeting moment, the lines between Ethan and Paul blurred.

In the midst of this delicate dance between past and present, I couldn’t help but wonder if Ethan was, in some strange way, an angel sent to guide us through our pain.

As the day of departure arrived, I couldn’t help but notice a palpable sadness etched on Ethan’s face when he learned that our time had come to an end. It was a peculiar sentiment, one that hinted at a deeper connection he felt with the place or, perhaps, with Paulina.

In the waning hours before our departure, Ethan dedicated the entire day to Paulina. Their bond had grown stronger during our stay, and it was evident that he cherished every moment with her.

He could have been missing his daughter. We had been waiting for the car for quite some time.

“Wait here, sweetie,” Derek urged.

Paulina was with Ethan, and I stood back and watched them.Property © NôvelDrama.Org.

“Will you miss me, Baby?” Ethan inquired, his voice carrying a hint of gentle teasing.

Paulina responded with an enthusiastic nod, her tiny hands reaching up to encircle Ethan’s neck. The affectionate embrace was a testament to the deep bond they had formed.

“I’ll miss you even more, sweetheart,” Ethan reciprocated, holding her with a tenderness that transcended mere affection.

Innocently, Paulina queried, “Will y… o… u co…me to me?”

Her eyes, wide with curiosity, fixed on Ethan.

Ethan, after a brief pause, gently revealed, “No, I won’t go.”

The simplicity of Paulina’s next question struck a chord, “Why?”

“Do y…o…u not l… I… k… E me?” she wondered, her sincerity tugging at the heartstrings.

Ethan, overcome with emotion, kissed her on the cheek and closed his eyes. It was a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken complexities that governed his decision.

“I’ll tell Da… D…d…y,” Paulina declared, an instinctive response to what she perceived as a potential misunderstanding.

Listening in on this tender exchange, I couldn’t help but feel a mixture of emotions. Why would Ethan refuse Paulina’s request to come with us?

I walked carefully towards them. When he heard my footsteps, Ethan turned around and looked down.

The air between us had changed, and I couldn’t ignore the palpable tension. Ethan’s avoidance of my gaze was perplexing, leaving me with a sense of unease.

Paulina’s sweet voice calling me “Mo-ma” momentarily lifted my spirits. As she approached, Ethan handed her to me, and in that exchange, our fingers brushed. It was a subtle touch, but one that carried a familiarity, awakening a dormant awareness within me.

Caught off guard by the unexpected connection, I hesitated for a moment. When Ethan attempted to step away, a surge of determination prompted me to call out to him, “Mr. Ethan.” He halted but seemed uneasy, stammering in response.

As Paulina played nearby, I seized the opportunity to bridge the growing gap between us.

“How are you doing?” I inquired, a genuine concern in my voice.

“I’m okay,” he replied, his response lacking the usual warmth he displayed.

With our impending departure, I wore a smile and extended an invitation, “Will you pay us a visit?”

His nod and elusive smile hinted at a reluctance to commit to the idea. Something was amiss, and his behavior seemed increasingly enigmatic.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” I pressed, my curiosity overcoming the desire to maintain a polite distance.

He responded with a cryptic smile, “What will I say?” The evasion in his tone fueled my determination to unravel the mystery.

“Mr. Ethan, I’d like to ask you a question. Will you be honest with me?” I added soothingly.

He expanded his eyes, as if he was becoming a bit nervous. “Yes,” he replied.

I locked my gaze on him, his blue eyes locked on mine. I… I don’t know what Derek told you about my past, but when I first saw you, I thought you are…” but Ethan interrupted me and asked, “You thought I was Paul, right?”

When I gazed at him, his eyes gleamed like stars. He gave me a warm smile. I cast a downward glance. I have no questions for him. Whenever I thought he was Paul, he proved me wrong.

He asked, “Did you love him?”

“Yes,” I said with a nod.