XI - Bittersweet Memories

"Do you really have no plans on talking to, Noah?" My cousin, Nico asked which I only answered with a nod.

Does he still deserve a second chance? The pain he had brought onto me is enough for me to let go. I love him but I love myself more. I love our child more. More than anything else in the world.

"Why don't you try to talk to him, you're pregnant, you know. Your baby needs a father in his life," he added.

"He should've thought about that before toying me. One more thing, he left his kids on Ana Maria, he should be with them," I answered. My baby needs a father, yes. But their kids also need their father. Their father left them for me. I can't help but feel guilty every time I realize that I am the reason why do they have a broken family. If it wasn't for me, they aren't suffering now. If it wasn't for me, their mother isn't here in the country, begging for their father to give them his love, care, and attention.

I am a homewrecker.

"It's not easy to tell him to stay away from you, Braelle. He also knows that you are carrying his child and he wouldn't let you give birth to your child without him as the father."

"Do anything you can, please. Tell him all the reasons or excuses you can think of," I said with desperately.

"You know that he won't stop just because of those reasons, Braelle. It's his child we are talking about." If only he is also like this in terms of his children with Ana Maria.

"Then tell him I had a miscarriage. Tell him I've lost our baby. Go, tell him our baby dies," I said. I may be cruel for ordering Nico to do that, to tell Noah that we've lost our baby but I don't know what is right and wrong anymore. Is it wrong that I am only protecting myself and our baby for more pain we might experience later? Am I wrong that I want him to be with his kids with Ana Maria instead? Is wanting him to be with his real family wrong? Tell me.

"What's with this plane ticket going to Greece, Braelle? What the hell is in your mind?" Nico asked me the moment he stepped inside my room. I have no idea why the hell he has my plane ticket.

"I am leaving," I said. After our talk regarding Noah and our baby, I decided to leave this country. I decided to leave everything behind.

"What? Why? What about your parents?" He asked.

"They will be staying here. I am leaving in the middle of the process of our annulment."

"When do you plan to tell your parents about everything, Braelle? They are clueless about what's happening to their daughter!"

"Don't worry, I'll tell them about everything soon. Not now, but soon."

The curly ends of my hair danced with the wind slowly as the golden rays of the sun hit my hazel colored hair the moment I stepped outside the airplane. Finally, I am here. Finally, I am at peace.

"Welcome to Greece, ma'am," the cabin crew greeted me as I stepped on the stairs.

"There you are," I whispered at myself when I saw my best friend, Greg waiting for me.

"Long time no see, how are you doing?" He asked before hugging me.

"I am now fine. Well, I think?" I said with a shrug.

"Wow, I didn't know you are pregnant," he said with a hint of shock in his voice as he stares at my round belly. I am now on my seventh month of pregnancy and my bump is already visible and is very big.

"Well, things happen. I'll tell you the details some other time," I said as I walk towards the exit of the airport.

"You know, my offer for you ten years ago still stands." Ah, I remember! He offered to marry me when I still do not have a husband at the age of twenty. I am now twenty-nine and was married.

"I was married," I answered shortly.

"Was?" He asked, confused.

"Yeah, I was married and now annulled," I answered and gave out a small chuckle. My life is really funny compared to others.

"Now, that's something I really didn't expect. I assume he's the father of your baby," he said as he points at my belly.

"You're right."

"I can be the father though," he said with a wink.

"Now, let me think about that first." I opened his car door and went inside.

Greece really did great for me. The annulment of my marriage with Noah did something great. I had time for myself. My once broken heart and trust were repaired. I can say that I am happier now than I am five years ago.

I was once Mrs. Braelle Caroline Bellame-Castellane. I was vulnerable and weak. But those bittersweet memories of the past made me who I am now. No matter how bad my experiences were, a single sight at my son who is the best thing given to me by that painful past is all I need to be happy. I was preparing for nine months then to fell in love for a lifetime. I am now the new and better version of myself. I am Braelle Bellame, mother of Acrion Bellame and this is the new me. Bolder, stronger and wiser than ever.