Chapter 27

•Robert's POV•

I just arrived with Nate at the Hangout coffeeshop. A local coffeeshop where Robyn asked to meet me. I didn't tell her that Nate would be coming with us‚ but she shouldn't expect any less. He'll be there whether she likes it or not.

As soon as we both walked inside‚ I spotted her sitting at a table and then walked to her. She shifts uncomfortably when she sees me and Nate‚ a neutral expression drawn on her face.

"I didn't think you would want to see me. Could almost not believe it." She says once we get seated. "Shall I order you some coffee?"

"Yea just a coffee..." I say to her‚ making it clear that I am in no mood for any small talk. "What did you want to talk about? How about we discuss it all now before we waste the people work here'stime."

"Are we really doing this Robert?"

"I don't know. Atleast now I know why you always hated me. You wished I was your real brother."

Robyn slouches her shoulders scratching her eyebrow. "...You know that's not true. You were always my baby brother. I wish things didn't end up like this between us. I am sorry for hiding it all from you‚ but I didn't have much of a choice."

"We all have a choice Robyn!"

I suddenly feel Nate's hand on my lap. I then look at him. He looks worriedly at me as he shakes his head. Obviously wanting me to calm down. So I do just that‚ taking a deep breath before I look at her again.

"I'm giving you one chance to explain...don't make me regret." I tell her as I fold my arms‚ looking around to make sure I don't cause a scene. I was a bit loud back then.

Nathan lightly squeezed my thigh. I then placed my hand on his‚ slightly squeezing it. He's keeping quiet and I'm glad he is holding himself in. He never went along with this idea of me meeting Robyn‚ that's why he thought it'd be best to come with me. He doesn't trust her and neither do I.

The waitress came with Robyn's coffee. Asking us‚ if we would like to order something‚ but Nathan tells her no and that we will call her over when we want something‚ which might never happen since we plan to leave before then.

Robyn took a sip from her coffee and it feels weird seeing her look‚ nervous. Normally Robyn was like my dad. Always calm and collected‚ I was even shocked to find out she got engaged and although that was another dramatic story for another day‚ she also got a daughter soon after. She's like a completely different person around Ana. Even now Robyn is showing emotions other than the robotic face she carries around all the time.

"I was just 14 when I found out. You know when I was little I always wanted a little brother..." She started talking‚ staring at the cup and then at me. "Mom and Dad never planned on telling me in anyway. I only found out when I heard them arguing in his office. I heard that the hospital called them in the previous day and they found out that you and Nathan were swapped in birth. I was standing at the door watching them talk and when they saw me...I was in so much shock...I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe that the brother I've known and loved possibly isn't my brother..." Her voice breaks midway and she takes a sip from her coffee‚ swallowing. Pausing for a moment before she sighs‚ "...I didn't want to lose you Robert. So when dad told me to keep quiet and promised me that our family will be back to normal again‚ I believed him. I believed that the nightmare would end that we could live like a real family even if we never shared the same blood. But our family was never the same after that...I can't speak for our parents. But I just want to tell you that it was never my intention to hurt you..I wanted to tell you‚ I really did...but it was not my place to tell. And when I saw that my and Dad never intended on telling you anything I decided to be the one to do it. Please you're the only one who has truly accepted me in the family and made me feel like I had a real family...don't let what our parents did rip us apart Robert."

I don't know what to say. Robyn was always the perfect child. Daddy's favourite and the legacy of the Eucliffe family. Yes she made her mistakes but none‚ my dad couldn't shove under the rug. But if I did that‚ he would've held it against me till the fucking day I was six feet under. This is all a lot to take in and for a moment I believed her. Still believe her.

Now that I look at it that way‚ I never thought that maybe Robyn didn't tell me because as usual she had to make dad happy. But she always knew to make him happy and seeing the state she is in now‚ she genuinely looks like she is being honest. I kind of feel for her.

"Are we supposed to believe everything you say?" Nathan finally decided to say something‚ "How do we know Liam didn't send you here."

"Of course he didn't!" Robyn soundenly seemed offended‚ "And besides ever since you two left that night‚ Ana and I left too. My parents and I are no longer talking. I left Robert's business and also wanted to come back and ask him if he wanted his place back as the owner."

Now that was not expected. Robyn and my parents not being in speaking terms? Just as she mentioned Ana‚ it already broke my heart knowing that girl has already noticed something going on. She already lost her dad‚ now the only family she knows is being ripped apart. I have to put Ana into thought and right now I just feel too much pressure. I need time to think.

"I think we heard enough." I say to Nate‚ patting his shoulder‚ before I stand up. "I'll think about it. I just need time to process everything...i'll call you..." I say to her when she looks at me.

"Eh yes...thank you for listening Robert." Robyn says‚ smiling in gratitude. That was another shocker too‚ because Robert never says thank you and I haven't seen her smile at me like that in years.

I turn on my heels before I leave with Nate. Once we head back to the car‚ I get in by the passenger seat after handing him the keys. I don't feel like driving‚ just not now.

Nathan got in too and then buckled up his seatbelt before he sat back. We were sitting in silence for a moment‚ till he decided to say something‚ "Do you believe her?"

"Do you?" I send the question back at him. I want to know what Nathan thinks because I trust his judgement over anyone elses'‚ but he can also sometimes be wrong.

"That's not exactly a question you should ask me. She's your sister...or was. You should make the choice of accepting her as your sister once again."

I smile faintly at him and then grab my seatbelt‚ pulling the strap over my shoulder before I click it in. "You're right." I then said to him. "Can we maybe go for some waffles? I really need that right now."

"Sunday mornings are Waffle Sundays!"

"That means Saturday afternoons are Waffle Saturdays!" I grinned wickedly.

Nathan glares at me‚ clearly looking like he's contemplating on what to say next. But I know he has a big and soft spot for me and even though he didn't give me an answer‚ already so him turn the car around and taking the route to The Waffle House.

~~~

We were now at the waffle House. We ate less than we ate last Sunday‚ as I only craved the sweetness whenever I needed the distraction.

Of course there was the sex which could always play off as a pretty good distraction‚ but that could always wait till later.

Nathan was staring at me the entire time and I noticed that he didn't eat any of his waffle. I already know why‚ because I can see he is still worried about me. I don't want him to feel too stressed about this.

"Nate. You need to eat that or else I am going to eat it all!"

"I'm not hungry. Go on ahead..." Nate huffs and shoves his waffles my way. He then folds his arms as he sits back‚ "Are you okay?"

"Yea‚ I'm fine!" I say reassuringly. I put down the fork as I don't plan on eating any more. Not when my Nate looks so off. "I promise!"

"That's all I wanted to hear." That handsome smile appears once again. I've missed it honestly even though I last saw it this morning. "Now get back to eating."

"Nope..." I shake my head. I did not come here to eat alone. "You're going to eat with me!"

I look around to make sure nobody sees us. It's Saturday but not so many people are here and they are all minding their own business. So I stand up and walk around the table holding both the dishes before I get down to sit on his lap. I put down the plates and take some waffle‚ dipped in chocolate syrup‚ before holding it over his lips. "Say ah."

Normally Nathan doesn't go around with this kind of fooling around‚ but to my surprise he went along with it. He opened his mouth and took the the fork into his mouth before he pulled off to start chewing. Humming at me only so I could feed him again.

"Hey I don't...mmm...remember seeing you eating again." Nate did point out before he took the other fork‚ "Come. Eat."

I roll my eyes and open my mouth to take the waffle off the fork. He did stuff a big piece into my mouth this time and I am not complaining. I am loving it.

After Nathan and I finished eating‚ we both ordered smoothies and stayed there for the rest of the day. We had an amazing view over the sunset and I was just thinking about Robyn and what she told me today. I knew that whatever decision I made‚ Nate would always support me and I feel happy to know that he has my back.

Maybe I should give her a chance. Robyn doesn't deserve to be punished for what my parents did.

None of us do.