Shredded past

A promise

Allison’s POV

I glared at Scott and Rafael as both of them held their laughter while Isaac was checking my sprained ankle, which was swollen, not sprained.

I shouldn’t underestimate the six-hour flight. Then I was sitting the whole time when I was at Jayme’s. Of course, my feet would swell.

I didn’t even feel it from the adrenaline rush I had. I thought I missed Isaac’s flight, and that’s why I went to sob at Jayme’s until Scott told me Isaac missed his flight.

“Nope, it’s just swelling-“

“It must be from my antidepressants,” I cut him off, moving my gaze to him. He gave me an unsure nod, and I really hoped he bought my lie this time.

Antidepressants rarely made my feet swell.

And I think Isaac kind of knew that.

“Yeah, I was also her personal massager. She likes her feet massaged.” Rafael chimed in, trying to support my lie. Also, regaining Isaac’s attention as he turned his gaze to Rafael.

Was Isaac jealous to hear that? Yes, pretty much yes.

I threw Rafael a warning glare, and he only smirked at me right after Isaac moved his gaze to me.

“Your welcome,” he mouthed me, and Scott nudged him in his ribs to stop.

“Isaac, you don’t have-” I nibbled on my lower lip, not completing my sentence as he massaged my foot, releasing some tension off my ankle.

What if he knew Rafael was my personal helper in everything? He prepared me warm baths, helped me after my morning sickness, made me breakfast, lunch, and dinner if he had spare time.

It was a huge ongoing list, a list Isaac didn’t need to know about. He already looked at Rafael as if he wanted to murder him.

My body relaxed, and I closed my eyes, letting a relieved sigh as Isaac worked on my feet with his skillful hands. I forgot how good messages he gave me when I’m tense or feeling overly nervous.

“Is this too much?” He asked, and I opened my eyes, meeting his greyish pupils as they stared back into me.

I shook my head, drawing in a sharp breath to stop the moan that threatened to escape my lips.

“No, just keep going,” I mumbled, throwing my head to the back, still nibbling on my lower lip.

I couldn’t retain myself any longer. I let go of my lower lip, and a moan escaped past my lips, showing how satisfied I was by Isaac’s massaging technique.

Of course, Scott and Rafael would burst out as I heard their muffled laughs. It wasn’t long enough before these two erupted out, filling the air with their laughter.

“f**k both of you,” I murmured between my moans, and Isaac let out a deep chuckle, continuing to massage my foot for a good five minutes.

“How does it feel now?” He asked, and I opened my eyes, staring at the white ceiling for a few seconds before lifting my head and meeting his greyish eyes.

“It feels better, thanks,” I mumbled, and he plastered a small smile as he got up.

“I’ll go bring you warm water,” he announced, and I offered him a tight-lipped smile before he walked away, leaving me with two pairs of eyes staring at me.

Scott sat next to me after he made sure Isaac was out of the hearing range. “Did something happen to the baby?” He whispered, and I blinked at him.

My heart warmed at his question, and maybe a tear escaped my eyes. I thought if I told anyone about the baby, I would be judged. I knew it wasn’t possible because my friends would support me endlessly.

I placed my hand on what seemed to be my flat stomach. “Aw, you care about the baby,” I swooned, and he rolled his eyes at me, cupping my cheek and wiping the tears that streamed out of my eyes.

Damn, I was too sensitive.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” He asked in a soft voice, and I let out a humorless chuckle.

“I just thought you guys would hate me for choosing to continue the pregnancy,” I murmured, and he rolled his eyes.

“Who filled this crap in your head? I was disappointed Rafael got to know before us, but I know you were afraid-“

“I’m still afraid…” I cut him off, and he kissed my forehead, sending some comfort to me.

Scott and I started roughly at the start, but now I could say that I have the big brother I always wanted.

Rafael came to my other free side and sat next to me, rubbing my shoulder blade.

And a little brother.

Scott pulled away, and I grabbed his hand and Rafael’s hand, tightening my grip around them. “Thank you, both of you. God knows how much I love you two.”

“Everything will be fine. You have me, and that blondie next to you,” Scott comforted me and I laughed, seeing his lips quiver into a wide smile while Rafael snickered at him.

His words may have helped me calm down for now, but I will always stay worried until I know the truth.

Until I know my baby will be safe, and I won’t relive what my aunt went through.

Footsteps echoed in the room, and my head snapped in the direction, watching Isaac as he approached us with a square plastic basin in his hands.

His gaze met mine, and I noticed the jealousy seeping in his greyish eyes as he noticed the two men sitting on the couch with me.

I never thought Isaac would be that… jealous.

Scott squeezed my hand one last time before getting up while Rafael stayed holding my hand just to tease Isaac. That piece of crap enjoyed annoying him just to get a reaction.

Isaac glanced at Rafael’s hand holding mine as he placed down the basin, grabbing the towel that was on his shoulder. “You’re all welcome to stay here,” he said as he straightened himself, his gaze focused on mine.

“Rafael and I are staying in a hotel downtown until I find somewhere else to move out,” I answered, slipping my hand out of Rafael’s grasp and placing it on my lap.

Many people knew where I lived, and some people who wanted me dead knew that too. Scott gathered my stuff and put them at Jayme’s. It was temporary.

Just for a few days until I find somewhere decent.

The way Isaac looked at me, he thought I was afraid to stay with him… well, his house would be the safest place I could stay in since he’s very protective.

I could remember the two weeks I spent with him, the extra care, him cuddling me…

Geez, I missed his warm embrace where I felt safe the most, Isaac felt like my permanent home, and do you know how it feels to lose the person who comforts you the most?

Yes, it sucks.

And what sucks is that I’m afraid to tell him I’m pregnant.

I snapped out of my thoughts, noticing Scott and Rafael staring at me as if they said something and I didn’t hear them. “Sorry, I zoned out,” I murmured under my breath.

“I said we will leave you two. Call me when you’re done,” Scott repeated with a soft smile.

I nodded, and he tapped Rafael’s arm to move. Both of them left, leaving me all alone with Isaac, who was still looking curiously at me.

I groaned, lowering my gaze off him. “Stop looking like that at me,” I grumbled as I placed my feet in the warm water.

Still, I felt his eyes focused on me. “Isaac,” I called out his name, lifting my gaze to his.

He moved hesitantly and sat on the edge of the coffee table, throwing the towel next to me. His eyes locked with mine as he took in a deep breath.

I placed my hand on his knees, leaning towards him. “We will work things out, Isaac,” I reassured him.

How hard will it be to start where we left? I still loved him, I don’t know how, but my feelings for my two months lover were more than I realized.

I didn’t even fall for Mike like that.

Isaac patched my wounded heart, made me gather my s**t, and believe I had a second chance in love.

I hated being alone after I left him, yes I had Rafael and his family support me along with Lola and Scott, but I didn’t have the man I wanted the most, the one who hurt me along with my friends.

I still couldn’t move on from my friends who betrayed my trust.

It hurt a lot to have the most people I ever loved keep such a secret from me.

“I’m sorry, Alli. I’m sorry for lying, for hurting you, for putting you in danger and breaking your heart,” he lowered his gaze to his lap as he continued, “I know what family meant to you-“

“But you weren’t the one who hid my aunt for my entire life, also separated her from her only child,” I cut him off, and he lifted his gaze to mine.

Having a family was a sacred topic for me.

Maybe I didn’t have the perfect bond with my mother, but I always had a good relationship with my father, my grandmother, and my aunt.

Then I had friends who I considered as the siblings I never had.

“I was mad because you dug around me, knew the truth before me, and chose to hide it, saying it would keep me safe… safe from what Isaac?” I spit the question out, feeling a heavyweight lift off my shoulders.

I always wanted to ask him that. I couldn’t ask anyone from family, they wouldn’t tell me, but I knew Isaac would tell me everything because he didn’t want me to leave again.

Not that I would leave again.

I lowered my gaze to the basin where I had my feet in, seeing my reflection. Realizing how far I have become as a person, the valuable lessons I learned, maturing me to make the right decisions.

Just a few months ago I was done with this world, and I…

I let the sadness and depression consume me.

Isaac’s hand grabbed mine, tightening his warm grasp around mine. He was the reminder of why I should stay. Our unborn child was the reminder of why I should know the past.

I wanted to protect my baby and to do that; I needed to know the past because I don’t want it to be repeated.

I don’t want to live the same nightmare my aunt lived, have my baby taken away.

“I’ll tell you everything, Alli, but…” he paused, and I lifted my gaze to his grey eyes, only to notice hesitation and fear.

I knew what his next words were.

“Promise me you won’t leave again.”