Chapter 13: A visit II
Without even the slightest hesitation, I slammed the door shut in his face and walked back to the kitchen without a word.
How could that fool come back after six years and stand by my door, expecting me to throw myself at him? After how he humiliated me for weeks before his departure, I would never let him back into my life. I had built walls too high to let someone like him break them down. When I needed him most, he left. Now that I’ve gotten used to being alone, whatever he has to say no longer matters.
"Hey, Celine, I know you’re really angry, but please can—"
"Stop right there, Cleo. Don’t even finish that sentence because I’m not going to consider it," I interrupted sharply.
"But, Celine…"
"No, Cleo," I said firmly, not giving her room to argue.
The tension in the air was broken by a small, sleepy voice. "Mommy, why are you angry?" I turned around to see Katherine, my beautiful little blonde with green eyes, rubbing her hands against her drowsy face. Her innocent concern softened the storm raging within me.
I quickly reached out and lifted her into my arms. "It’s nothing, my little angel. Tell me, is Catherina still sleeping?"
"Yes, Mom. I’m thirsty; that’s why I woke up."
"Then let Mama give you a cup of water, and you can go back to bed, alright?"
"Yes, Mama."
"That’s my girl," I said, kissing her cheek before heading to the kitchen to get her a glass of water. After she drank, I tucked her back into bed, planting another kiss on her forehead.
As I returned to the living room, Cleo grabbed her bag. "Celine, I’ve got to be home by 4 p.m. My parents have dinner plans, so I need to leave now and pick up a new dress."
"Thank you, Cleo. I appreciate it so much," I said, giving her a warm smile.
"No problem. Give the girls a peck for me," she replied, heading out the door.
"I will," I promised as the door closed behind her.
---
**Tuesday, 18:00**
"Girls, come help Mama set the table!" I called from the dining room.
"Okay, Mama!" Both girls replied enthusiastically, their voices echoing as they dashed down the stairs. Each carried two plates and carefully arranged them on the table.
As we sat down for dinner, my dad asked, "So, tell me, girls, how was your day?"
"We slept most of the time," Catherina replied cheerfully. Her voice was like a melody that usually lifted my spirits, but today, my mind wandered. Despite the warmth of the moment, I couldn’t stop thinking about Kaleth. Why had he come back? Was I wrong to shut the door in his face? No—he left me; I didn’t leave him.
"Celine, Celine," someone called, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Yes?" I responded, blinking as I focused on my dad.
"Katherine tells us you were upset earlier. Do you mind telling us why?"
"It’s nothing, Dad," I said, trying to dismiss the concern while staring at my plate.
"If it’s nothing, then why are you playing with your food? Spaghetti and meatballs are one of your favorites."
"Dad, I said it’s nothing," I replied, my tone betraying my frustration.
"If you say so," he said, backing down, though I could feel his worried gaze lingering.
After dinner, I washed the dishes and gave my daughters their medication before tucking them into bed. My parents also retired for the night, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
---
Lying in bed, I stared at the ceiling, unable to quiet the whirlwind in my mind. Kaleth—the man who had once meant the world to me—had shattered my heart six years ago. And now, he had the audacity to show up at my door as if time had not passed, as if the wounds he inflicted had not left scars. Yet, no matter how much I tried to convince myself otherwise, a small part of me still felt something for him. How could I not? He had been my first love. But love didn’t erase the pain he caused.
I was pulled from my thoughts by the sound of little footsteps. "Mommy, Katherine and I can’t sleep. Can we stay here with you?" Catherina’s small voice asked.
"Of course, baby. Of course," I said, sitting up to make room for them.
They climbed into bed, nestling themselves on either side of me. I wrapped my arms around them, holding them close. Their presence was a balm for my aching heart. As I watched them drift off to sleep, their steady breaths lulled me into a sense of peace. They were my everything, the reason I kept going.
Just as I began to close my eyes, Catherina stirred. "Mom, we weren’t actually scared," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. She turned to face me, her warm smile melting my heart.
"Yes, Mama," Katherine chimed in, her green eyes meeting mine. "We’re here because we know how worried you are, and we didn’t want to leave you alone."
"Mommy, we love you so much," Catherina said, reaching out to hold my hand. "Please stop being sad."
Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at my two angels. "I love you too, my babies," I said, my voice breaking with emotion. "More than anything in this world."
In that moment, I realized something profound. I might not have Kaleth in my life, but I had the two greatest blessings anyone could ask for. My daughters were my strength, my joy, my everything. And that was enough.
---
The next morning, the sun streamed through the curtains, painting golden streaks across the room. Katherine and Catherina were still curled up beside me, their soft breaths filling the silence. I lay there for a moment, absorbing the peace they brought.
As I moved to get up, Katherine opened her eyes. "Good morning, Mama," she said, her voice groggy but sweet.
"Good morning, my love. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes," she said, yawning. "What’s for breakfast?"
"How about pancakes?" I suggested, smiling at her excitement.
"Yay! Pancakes!" she cheered, waking Catherina in the process. The three of us headed to the kitchen, where we spent the morning making breakfast together, laughing and spilling flour everywhere.
The sound of the doorbell interrupted our laughter. My heart sank. I knew who it would be.
I opened the door cautiously, and there he was—Kaleth. He looked different, older, but his eyes held the same intensity. "Celine, please," he started, but I raised a hand to stop him.
"Kaleth, there’s nothing to say. You made your choice six years ago, and I’ve made mine. I have a life now, a family. Please respect that."
His face fell, but he nodded. "I understand," he said quietly. "I just… I’m sorry, Celine. For everything."
As he walked away, I closed the door, feeling a strange mix of emotions. But as I turned back to my daughters, who were giggling in the kitchen, I knew I had made the right choice. My past might have shaped me, but my present and future belonged to them.