Chapter Eleven

The world felt like shaking, and everything around her was a blur.

"Belle, are you okay?" Aubrey rushed to Belle. Even her voice sounded like an echo. "You look so pale, my gosh."

All she could see clearly was her innocent child, looking at her with those round eyes, unaware of what just happened. It was the first time that Liam saw his father, the person who thought that he would much rather live a life without them.

His soft chuckle comforted Belle. It is for the better that he doesn't know anything yet. His little hand reached out to his mother, asking to be carried.

"Hey, buddy." She hugged his body tightly, never wanting to let him go. Belle was scared that if she would, even for a second, Nikolai would snatch him away from her. Maybe he won't, and he'd choose to live without Belle and their child again. At this point, this is the future that Belle believes would likely happen.

"I got this, Aubrey. You can go home now."

Aubrey looked hesitant, noticing that Belle wasn't acting like her usual self. "Are you sure?"

"I'm fine. Don't worry. But…” She remembered how one simple action could put her in a situation she wouldn't want to be in. "Tomorrow, after I leave, please don't go outside the apartment for no, not even outside the door."

Despite looking confused, Aubrey agreed without asking more questions. She is smart. The truth may be unknown to her, but she would know something is up. "Okay, I understand."

"Thank you."

***

"You are what?"

"He said I'm still married to him. I think he never processed the divorce that he initiated."

"That is… wow. That is some—" Bonnie looked around and saw Liam awake and playing with his stuffed dinosaur in his crib. "That is some real BS word."

"I know… can we do something about it?" Bonnie specializes in Real Property Law. Despite that, she has been the most helpful, especially when she got served divorce papers. Without Bonnie, Belle would not have the confidence to sign the papers.

"I am on your side, Belle. You know that. It's also a fact that you are still married to Nikolai. That alone means he is recognized as Liam's father. If he tries, he can ask for his parental rights, too. It would not matter who hurt who or who left who. What happened between you two is a separate matter."

"I know… It's just that I'm scared that he will take my child away from me."

"It's natural to be scared. My advice would be for both of you to prioritize the kid. Get a divorce, or not? Who knows? The two of you might start a part two of your story."

Belle shivered at the idea. There's no way she's entering that hell hole again.

"Okay, that's a no then. But whatever you two decide with your marriage, you need to find an arrangement that works. He said he wants to be a part of his son's life, right?"

The answer was obvious. He wouldn't be here, staying in the same building, renting the place just in front of theirs. Why he is here and not with Stella is unknown to her. Not to mention that he has a job that he left in Houston. With this commitment, Belle couldn't run anymore. Everything seems to not go according to plan. 

"I have to face him, huh."

"I'm afraid so, sweetie."

It was the middle of the night. Liam was peacefully sleeping in his crib, still hugging his favorite dinosaur stuffed toy.

Belle couldn't take her eyes off her son. The endless possibilities and what-ifs kept running on her mind.

"Hey, little buddy." She whispered. Liam, as if he heard his mom, pursed his lips. The way he slept reminded Belle of Nikolai and how their kid looked so much like him. "Am I making things too complicated? I'm sorry if you're affected by my wrong decisions. I'll make things right, Liam. Mommy loves you. And you should always be at the top of my priority. Always."

She wiped the tears from her eyes and texted the number Nikolai used to contact her.

'Are you awake?'

Belle didn't want to wait for his response. She set the phone on silent and closed her eyes to sleep. Before she could put down her phone, Nikolai responded.

'Yes.' Okay. A short response. 

'Is everything alright there?' He added.

Tomorrow felt like too long. Belle can try, but it would be impossible to sleep now

'Okay. If it's alright with you, we can talk right now, right here in my place. I can't leave the baby alone.'

'You want me to go there?' It was only a text, but the tone of disbelief was almost audible with Nikolai's message.

'Or we can meet somewhere else in the morning. The nanny will be here by then.'

'No.' An instant reply. 'I'll be there in a minute.'

Belle inhaled deeply because she might forget something as simple as breathing once Nikolai set foot in the same place as their child.

For Liam. She calmed herself down by repeatedly telling herself this line. For our child.