“Riley,” She stood up from the couch and walked towards me. Her hands went straight to my chest, and my heart started to calm down a bit. “Listen to me. Can we not give Zahra a chance to explain?”
“What lies did she tell you? Don’t let her brainwash you.”
“What if those were not lies?”
“I don’t fucking want her in my life!” I moved away from her and walked to the liquor cabinet. I grabbed the decanter and poured rum into an empty glass.
“But I do! I want her in my life and our baby’s life.”
“No. You’re asking for an impossible thing.”
“What I’m asking you is easy compared to what you’ve asked of me. You don’t even need to welcome her back into your life, but just give her a chance to explain.”
“No. This conversation isover.”
“Fine. If you want to go that way, then it’s your choice. I’m laying out two options here. If you take me, then you’re taking Zahra with me. Without her, then I’m out of here too.”
“Fuck Nadia! Can you actually hear yourself?”
“Yes. Take it or leave it. Forget all about me. And once you’re ready to be a part of our baby’s life, you can find me in Zahra’s home.”
Is she fucking serious?
My jaw tightened as I watched Nadia walk towards the door with her head up, but I could see her eyes glistening, tears pooling in them.
I sat my glass on the table, and in a few strides, I was already in front of her, blocking her way.
“Nadia..” My voice came out desperate as I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into my chest. “Don’t walk away. Let’s discuss this.”
“It’s non-negotiable, Riley.”
“Ask me something else. This is the hardest thing you’ve asked me.”
She wriggled free from my arms. She placed her hand on my chest as she tilted her head and met my eyes.
“How about me, Riley? What was the hardest thing you’ve asked of me? But I accepted it all because I love you.”
“She ruined me, Nadia.”
“She didn’t. It’s your idea of what she is that ruined you. That’s why I’m asking you to hear her out first. If you doubt her words, roll out your Alpha command. I know you hated using it but use it to get the doubts off your head.”
“I will never use an Alpha command for something like that.”
“Bullshit, Riley! You almost used it on Jenny! You’re willing to use it on someone who’s loyal to you but not to someone you don’t care about?” She snapped at me.
“Relax! Can we talk calmly?” I brushed her arms with my hands, regretting riling up her emotions.
“I want our baby to grow up with a family, a complete one. And I can’t give our pup a grandmother anymore, but you can. So I’m counting on you.”
“Nadia… You’re asking too much.”
“And I will never ask anything more, Riley.”
I let out a deep breath, not knowing what to say more.
“This is for you, as muchas it is for our baby. I want you to stop thinking that the first female in your life doesn’t want you.”
“She brainwashed you. She can deceive anyone she wants. She’s good at it.”
