Narrated by Mason:
I must admit that going for a walk with Paige did me good. It helped me regain control over the emotions stirred up by that letter. As much as I think about it, I understand that the baby is not to blame for what Peyton is asking, but I don't feel prepared to help in any way.
I look at Paige again, lost in her thoughts. She looks so beautiful and perfect that I wish I could freeze time and stay like this forever. I will cherish this image in my mind forever; it's the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.
I stop walking, and Paige turns to look at me. With her attention on me, I try to smile and say, "I'm sorry for my behavior earlier. Honestly, I didn't expect to read something like that," I confess, feeling embarrassed in front of her.
"Don't worry. Not everyone reacts the same way. I can't put myself in your shoes, so I preferred to go for a walk. As you know, your mother is very kind and won't let that baby go unprotected. We both know that she, along with Sarah, Riley, and me, will find a way to help that defenseless little one," she says clearly and seriously.
"I know, I truly know and understand that. I'm not heartless to not think about the baby. It's just that I'd rather not know about it. Or rather, I don't want to know anything about Peyton, and everything related to her. You have my full support in whatever you decide to do regarding helping that baby. We can find a way to ensure their well-being and give them a good life," I reply, taking both of her hands in mine.
In response, I receive a genuine smile from her, causing my heart to beat a little faster.
"You know you're not capable of doing nothing. Even if it bothers you, you're good, and we'll find a way to help that baby without having to deal with the mother. I don't want her in my life either. I think that's pretty obvious," she says, laughing.
"I truly wish time could be reversed, and I would change so many decisions I made. Everything would be different between us. Sincerely, I hope that one day you can look into my eyes like before, like I've always wanted you to look at me, and I didn't realize it. I want you to see me without remembering that woman and create new memories together. I want when you look at me, my past mistakes and the hurt I caused you don't come to your mind. I genuinely want us to be together. I promised not to pressure you, and I'll keep that promise, but I want you to know that this thought still lingers in my mind, and it's my goal now—to show you that I love you more than anything in this world. If you give me a chance, I'll make sure to make you the happiest woman in the universe. You won't regret letting me show you how I feel," I say, pouring my heart into these words.
"We've talked about this. You know that for now, all I want is to have a peaceful pregnancy and start as friends. Let's begin from scratch for the sake of our child," she reminds me.
"I know, and that's what we'll do. Right now, the best thing we can do is go to my mother's house and help in any way we can with that baby," I say, kissing the back of her hand.
When we return to the house, we realize that only my parents are home. My mother tells us that our friends left for their homes as it was getting late. We say goodbye to my mother due to the hour, and on the way, as I head towards Sarah's house, Paige takes my hand and says,
“I think tonight I want to try sleeping in our former house. It's not that I'm accepting to go back to what we had, I just want to rest and see what happens if I sleep in what used to be our room, of course, if you're okay with it," she says nervously.
"If you want to go, I'll take you. But I don't want you to feel pressured by what I said a few minutes ago. I have all the time in the world because, in the end, if I'm going to share my life with you, nobody is rushing us to make it happen eventually," I reply, feeling happy about her initiative to go to the place that has always been our home.
Paige narrates.
I must admit that even I surprised myself by asking him to take me to the house we shared during our fake marriage. I'm curious to return to that place; it feels so much like ours that maybe being in that house will give me the courage I need to consider giving our family a chance.
I look at Riley, so determined to get back together with Lucas, and I can't help but feel envious of her unwavering resolve. I feel like a coward for still refusing to give it another try with Mason as a couple.
For the first time, I feel like I want to let go without overthinking the consequences and just feel. Today, all I want is to feel. Mason's words made me feel so many things—my heart raced, my stomach clenched, as if thousands of butterflies were fluttering inside.
I acknowledge that the love I feel for Mason hasn't changed one bit; if anything, it has grown with the baby I'm expecting. I'm completely sure that Mason is the man I want by my side in the years to come, but the pain he caused me is not easy to forget. It's something that still lingers within me, and maybe I'm overreacting, but no one understands what I'm going through. Sometimes love isn't enough, and the pain I carry is what prevents me from accepting Mason as my partner again.
Tonight, I want to sleep in what used to be our bed. I want to see what goes through my mind being in this place. If I manage to sleep without dwelling on the past, it could be a step toward leaving behind what hurts me and starting to write a future by his side.
We arrive home, and after saying goodnight, I head straight to the room I always used here. Upon entering, I'm surprised to see Mason's belongings. It means he has been sleeping in this bed; I imagined him in a different one.
There's a knock on the door, and it's him coming to get his things to sleep. I open the door, and my body ignites just by seeing him. I've gone too long without anything sexual, and my hormones are driving me crazy. Maybe that's why, coupled with the fact that we're in the room that used to be ours and alone, it doesn't help my libido.
He explains that he's here for some things, and I nod in complete silence due to nerves and the heat I'm feeling. I dare not speak, fearing I'll succumb to temptation, and it's not something I want to happen right now. I watch him leave, and I sit on the bed, sighing like a fool for not stopping him.
I pace around the room, not knowing what to do. Well, I do know what I want to do, but it's just not appropriate at this moment. After an hour of pacing back and forth like a caged lion, I give up and lie down to sleep. It's the best thing I can do.
I open my eyes and look around where I am. A smile forms on my face as I realize I slept like a little angel in this bed, which I missed, to be honest. I don't manage to see the time because gentle taps on the bedroom door make me look in that direction.
“Go ahead” It's probably Mason coming for some clothes or something he left behind last night.
As I imagined, it's Mason, but he comes in with a tray of breakfast. I sit up in bed as he approaches me, my stomach growling at the aroma of everything he brought, and I blush.
"Good morning, I brought breakfast, and it seems like the baby is hungry," he says, smiling at the sound of my stomach.
"Good morning, to be honest, the baby is always hungry," I reply, blushing.
I watch him place the tray down and take a couple of steps to leave the room, but I stop him with my words.
"Where are you going? I thought we would have breakfast together," I say nervously.
"I only brought it for you; I left mine downstairs. I won't be long, I'll be right back," he responds like a little child who was told they could have ice cream for dinner.
I gaze at his back and his beautiful, sexy behind. My hormones have turned me into a sexual maniac every time I see Mason.
When he returns, he sits on the bed, and just then my phone rings with a video call from Lucas. I answer while eating, which is what I've been doing most of the time lately.
My friend is with Riley, and they both seem extremely excited, which genuinely makes me happy. It was about time they found happiness. They invite me to have lunch with them, saying they have some important news to share. And the worst part that made me blush is when, as I was about to end the call, Riley says,
"Mason, you have to come too, and I hope you walked my friend home because if not, you'll have to deal with me." After saying that silly remark, she ends the call laughing, and I just want to bury myself in a hole and not come out for a long time.
I cover my face with my hands, and I hear Mason laughing at what Riley said. Then I feel his touch on my hands, and my back stiffens from the electric sensation that passes through it.
"Don't be embarrassed by what Riley said. I quite like her, and believe me, if the situation were different and you had given me a chance, we wouldn't leave here for weeks. Now finish your meal because we have a lunch to attend," he says cheerfully.