*
*
Her breath quickened when her eyes locked onto Sterling's. His presence made everything else but him disappear from her head.
Why was he here?
His gaze held something as it shifted from her and then to Michael. She had left dinner early, did he follow her? How else did he know exactly where she was?
Her uneasiness at his presence couldn't be compared to the dissatisfaction that spiked through Sterling at the sight of her carrying a toddler that he didn't recognize.
He realized that he didn't want to see her with any other kid but his.
' My biggest regret is the fact that you are Maya's father, I could have done better for her! ' These words still rang in his mind, every day, it was almost like an alarm.
She was so gentle with the toddler she was carrying, as though it was natural, As Sterling stared at Michael, he couldn't help but think if Faith thought Michael was a better father than he could ever hope to be. The thought fuelled his resentment towards this man.
"Who are you?" Michael asked, slightly annoyed that his confession had been thwarted by this stranger.
Sterling's expression turned colder as his eyes remained focused on the man blocking his path. He had watched the man hug Faith, there was no way he could mistake the emotion in Michael's eyes.
Sterling couldn't help but wonder exactly how close they were, Michael's name was once filled on Maya's birth certificate but Sterling hadn't cared to know the details between them.
"I'm here for her." Sterling spoke rigidly, staring at Faith with a devilish glint dancing in his eyes, he added.
"You know our daughter cannot sleep without you."
It gave Sterling a sick kind of joy to watch the man calculate, then his gaze as he finally understood.
Faith gently lowered Collin to the floor, her teeth clenched in annoyance. She knew Sterling had to be lying. Maya was usually asleep by this time and wouldn't wake up until it was time for her midnight meal.
She met Michael's gaze, it was filled with surprise and questions. She sighed, being left with no choice but to introduce them.
"Michael, this is my ex-husband." Faith introduced, emphasizing much on the ex. She gained slight satisfaction watching Sterling's eyes narrow at her.
Michael's demeanor also seemed to soften a bit. "So, you're the baby's father, it's nice to meet you." He extended his hand towards Sterling for a shake but was blatantly ignored. The silence that ensued was awkward. Why couldn't Sterling behave for once?
She cast him an annoyed look before muttering.
"You can leave, Michael and I still have some things to discuss, I'll return once we are done."
She made the mistake of thinking that she had successfully gotten rid of him. He shocked her by casually entering the apartment uninvited and she found her voice only when his iron grip was firmly wrapped around her wrist.
"Your discussion is over, you're coming with me now!"
"What are you doing? Stop creating a scene!" She whispered harshly, completely embarrassed that an audience was witnessing Sterling being Sterling.
She was left with no choice but to walk quietly with him or be dragged like a doll.
"What the fuck are you doing? She doesn't wish to leave with you! Let her go now!" He clenched his fists.
"It's okay, I'll see you tomorrow." Faith spoke hurriedly, Sterling had always behaved unpredictably, the last thing she wanted was for him to create more scenes in front of Michael. She managed a stiff smile which vanished immediately after they stepped out of the house.
Once they were alone, she jerked her hand free. "You're such a dick!" She sizzled with anger.
She could think of every name in the universe to call him.
"What was that about?" He forced her to face him and she couldn't be any more enraged, her whole body shuddered with anger. He had no right to question her.
"What the hell is your problem, I can visit and stay with whomever, stay out of my business!" She hit violently at his shoulders repeatedly until he caught her hand and pinned them at her sides despite her struggles.
"I don't want you around him__"
"Well, I don't care about what you want, you don't get to tell me who to hang out with, What exactly is our relationship?" Faith snapped.
"You're my wife!" Sterling growled.
"Ex!" Faith hissed, too angry to notice the bizarre glint in his eyes.
"Besides I've known him for some time, he helped me while I was in labor, Maya was birthed safely due to his help, you should be grateful to him!" She added and watched his eyes flash with fire.
A breathless gasp escaped her mouth when his hand attacked the base of her neck.
"I could have been there for you if you let me! And since you know him so well, it makes me wonder if anything transpired between the both of you..." His voice was laced with venom. Faith met his glare and shuddered at the thick cloud of jealousy in his gaze.
She could have explained that there was nothing between her and Michael to Sterling, but she didn't owe him anything. An insane portion of her also wanted to see him snap.
"So what if something happened? It still has nothing to do with you!" She fired. One moment, he was seething, seeming ready to murder her.
"Oh sweet Faith, Why do you like testing me?" He murmured, she flinched when he nuzzled the spot between her neck in an almost gentle manner. To this day it still managed to shock her that his mood could change just like a switch on a bulb.
"Do you get off on getting me so mad? Hmm? Is that it?" He chuckled lowly even as his strong arms wrapped around her until she was completely flattened against him.
His closeness sent an unwanted familiar thrill through her veins, pooling at her very core until she choked on a moan.
Could he feel the way her nipples tightened against his chest through her bra?
His searing gaze told her that he could.
"How can you be so sure that I'm lying?" Faith bit, wondering how he saw through her falsehood.
"Because if there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that I ruined you for any other man, you might hate me Faith, but you won't get over me, and I won't ever let you do that." He murmured in her ears so softly that Faith fought the urge to cry, because he was right.
"I hate you!" She cried even though she had no intentions to fight his embrace anymore. A single tear dropped from her eyes, his shirt absorbed it. "I hate you so much! You're insane!" She repeated and once again the words from her mouth felt empty. She wanted to feel that heavy painful ache she felt each time before but it was absent. The realization sent a mix of fear through her. She had to resent him. It was the only emotion she wanted to feel towards him.
Meeting his dark stare, she whispered solemnly. "One day, I'll leave you with nothing and you will know how helpless you make me feel each time."
Sterling's smile was gentle as his knuckles grazed her face.
"Until then, Faith, for now, you just have to stay with me."