Strength After Him

Chapter 2 - A Love Cut Short

At my apartment, I stared at the driver's license. Part of me wanted to return it to the café. Another thought… Maybe I will see him again.

Three restless days passed. London still felt huge and lonely. I needed some fresh air. Then, I found George’s license again, buried deep in my bag. “Oh no,” I whispered. “I have to return this to the police station.”

That evening, I stepped out with my suitcase. And there I saw George waving. I froze. Before I could say anything, he was beside me.

“I found you again,” he said, smiling widely.

I shook my head, smiling back. “You’re careless, you forgot your license.”

He laughed, but then his phone buzzed in his pocket and he frowned. “Yeah, well, I already reported it to the police.”

“Let’s find a quiet spot so I can draw,” I muttered. We settled in a small garden, wrapped in the soft glow of streetlamps.

George asked how I found my passion. I told him my grandmother was a storyteller who shared tales with lessons every night. I started turning those lessons into art, bringing them alive with color. That’s what sparked it.

“That’s beautiful,” he said, nodding like I had confirmed something.

I asked him about himself. He smirked, one brow raised, eyes sparkling with mischief, but only if I promised to share, too. I told him he already knew plenty.

He lowered his voice when talking about his upbringing, but kept it brief, clearly reluctant to go further. Our conversation stretched into the night, but every time his phone buzzed, his shoulders tensed. When he offered to drop me home, I noticed his nervous smile, different from before.

He hesitated, then asked, “Ava, would you like to grab coffee sometime?”

I blinked, surprised. Before I could say anything, he jumped in and suggested tomorrow evening. My heart raced as I watched his car disappear into the night, wondering what secrets he was hiding, and what tomorrow’s coffee might bring.

The next evening came, cool and quiet. Nerves twisted inside me as I headed to the café to meet George. He was already there, sitting by the window with that warm smile of his.

He stood as I approached, offering his hand. “Thought you wouldn’t come,” he said, voice low.

I smiled back, feeling that familiar flutter of nerves and excitement. Then he offered to get me a coffee, and I accepted, settling into the chair across from him.

When my cup arrived, he took a deep breath and looked straight into my eyes and said, “There’s something I have been meaning to ask.” I nodded for him to go ahead.

George said quietly, “Please… be my girlfriend.”

I almost spat out my coffee, my mind went blank.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to shock you,” he added quickly, his voice trembling.

I wiped my mouth and smiled carefully. “I wasn’t expecting that." George, I like you – as a friend. I need some time to think about your request.”

He nodded, hiding impatience behind a calm smile. “Take all the time you need, Ava.”

Maybe he wanted a yes right then.

A week later, we didn't talk about what he had asked directly. But he kept showing up at my apartment and I kept letting him in. Until one evening, he brought me gifts without asking what I wanted.

I blinked at the small gifts and saw my favorite drink. “You remember,” I said, surprised.

He shrugged. “Of course.”

I didn’t say anything else, but I took the gifts and moved over so he could sit beside me.

He glanced at me and said, "Are you still thinking?”

I nodded slowly while smiling. “It’s not a no.”

“Not a yes either,” he said, but there was a small smile tugging at his mouth.

He offered to make dinner for us that night and headed to the kitchen. The meal was delicious:minced beef with creamy mashed potatoes. I couldn’t help but tell him he cooks so well.

“I am good, but often too lazy to cook,” he said.

“Yeah, you are lazy,” I laughed, shaking my head.

After dinner, we decided to have a drink, and he kept refilling mine until I was tipsy and giggling.

The next morning, I woke up confused, finding George lying beside me. My clothes were messy. A sinking feeling hit something wasn't right.

"What happened?” I cried out, quickly adjusting my clothes, heart pounding.

“I… I’m sorry,” he stammered, his voice shaking as he dropped to his knees, pleading.

“You knew I got tipsy easily, and you kept handing me more drinks!” I shouted, tears streaming down my face.

“Get out of my house!” I said, pointing to the door.

He gathered his clothes, eyes full of regret. “I don’t know what came over me.”

“Leave now, or I'll call the police,” I snapped.

“No, I’m leaving,” he said softly, then slipped out the door.

I hated myself for letting him get this close, for trusting when I shouldn’t have. Every time my phone buzzed with his name, my heart clenched, but I just couldn’t bring myself to answer.

I needed a way to get him off my mind.

The thought of clubbing hit me, loud music, dark lights, drink, dancing till I disappeared.

I looked in the mirror and said, “Enough crying. Tonight, I will get him out of my head.”

Two weeks later, I got a message from him : “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I never wanted to hurt you. Please forgive me.”

I whispered to myself, “I don’t think things will ever be the same again.”

The weight of the past weeks pressed down on me, each memory of him swirling in my mind. I couldn’t get him out of my head. I loved him.

My fingers trembled as I took a deep breath and picked up my phone. I opened his message and typed out a reply: I forgive you.

That same week, our coffee hangouts turned into long walks and late-night calls. This time when he kissed me, I didn’t back off. I actually looked forward to hearing his voice. And when he smiled at me, it weirdly felt like I could breathe again. Being around him just made me feel good.

The day I visited George, he rushed to me and kissed me like I had been gone forever. I made us grilled chicken Caesar sandwiches, his new favorite. After dinner, we settled in to Netflix and chill, but George wouldn’t let go of me. He held me close, his voice soft as he said, “I bless the day our paths crossed. I promise I will be by your side, no matter what. You will never face anything alone.”

I smiled and told him, “I will always be there for you too. I love you, baby.”

We wrapped ourselves in each other’s arms under the duvet, skin against skin, the heat between us rising. No hesitation, just raw, burning desire and real love binding us tight.

“That was… amazing,” George whispered, his breath warm against my skin.

I smiled softly.

But that night, something felt off. A private number kept calling George. Each time, he glanced at his phone, then ended the call without a word. Whenever I asked him who was calling, he brushed off my question, insisting it wasn’t important and that I didn’t need to know. Sensing his irritation, I stopped asking.

*******

Then came the shock. Months with George, and my period didn’t show. I checked my app – no signs.

I bought a pregnancy test. In my tiny bathroom, I stared at the strip, two lines: one clear, one faint. My hand shook as I reached for it. I couldn't believe it as I sat down, heart pounding, unsure what to do next. I was confused and needed to confirm the result to be sure. My hands shook as I grabbed my bag and headed for the door. My mind was a mess. I had to go to the hospital. I needed to know the truth.

At the hospital front desk, I whispered, “I did a home test, but I need confirmation.”

The nurse smiled softly. “We will help you. Take a seat.”

The wait felt like forever. When I was finally called in, I followed the nurse to a small room.

She asked if I had done a test at home, and I nodded.

She explained the blood test was more accurate at this stage. After the test, the nurse’s voice finally broke through. “You should have the results in an hour.”

I sat in the waiting room, barely blinking. Sweat filled my hands as I rubbed them against my jeans, but they wouldn’t stop shaking. Then a nurse appeared at the doorway. She called my name softly, and I stood slowly, legs shaky, following her into the small room. She sat across from me and spoke gently.