Marrying my high school bully

Melissa

Returning home to find Dexter standing in front of my apartment was the last thing I expected, but I couldn’t deny how sexy it felt to find the man you loved surprising you with a visit.

“Good evening, Dexter. Why didn’t you tell me that you wanted to come over? I’d have canceled my appointments.” I scolded him gently.

“I’m sorry, Mel, I came to see you since you have decided that you want nothing to do with me.” He replied, his countenance sullen.

My heart was struck, but I kept my expression stoic as I didn’t want him to know that he was getting to me. “I didn’t do that on purpose, Dexter, I’ve just been so busy with work but I promise to make it up to you.”

“That’s alright, but my visit is going to be brief.”

I dipped my hand into my bag and produced the smart card and swept it over the fob. “We won’t have this discussion outside. I’m already filled with guilt that you had to stay aside till I returned, so don’t add it, please.”

He hesitated, but then I knew that he wouldn’t want to hurt me so he followed me in. His reluctance and coldness sent chills down my spine as he didn’t even care for physical touch.

The man I knew would have caged me between the wall and made sure he kissed me, instead, he was keeping his distance.

“Do you care for anything?”

He shook his head. “No, thanks. I’m fine.”

I pouted, folding my hands. “Please, do not turn a pregnant woman down. It’s going to be bad for her health.”

He chuckled lightly, the timbre of his voice igniting sparks within me. “A glass of water will be fine, but we need to have this conversation so I can return home to Lilly.”

Right, Lilly.

I wasn’t jealous, I was just surprised at the fact that he used her as an excuse. I said nothing else and headed to the kitchen to get him a glass of water.

He nibbled over the rim of the glass and then dropped it after he was done.

“So what do you want us to talk about?” I sat beside him casually.

“I’ve been a fool, Melissa.” He began and I shrank backward as I didn’t expect his harsh choice of words. I opened my mouth to debunk the statement, but he raised his hand to silence me. “Please allow me to tell you how I’ve made stupid decisions and become the complete opposite of myself.”

“Dexter….” I drawled, but that was all I could say as his frown shut me up.

“I got married to my high school sweetheart most unconventionally. It was a contract marriage.” He said and I gasped as if I didn’t know it all. “She resented me because I used her situation against her, but what she didn’t know was that I shared in her resentment and I wanted to punish her for the accusations I heard about her until I discovered that they were all lies. Liam and Blake, who masterminded the evil acts, disappeared until I caught Liam at Emilia’s house and sent him to prison, but sadly, he’s dead.”

My hands flew to my lips instantly and I let out another gasp to solidify my fake acting. “May his soul rest in peace.”

He scoffed. “I can’t say the same because I realized how wicked he was, and the only thing I regret is that he took the easy way out.” He straightened on the couch and linked our hands together. “What I realized from all of these is that you were right. My friend was also right, and I’ve been the only obstinate one because I was driven by my feelings.”

I knew where he was headed, but I didn’t like it even though I’d been encouraging him to take the route. “Why does this feel like a breakup when we aren’t even dating?” I let out a sad chuckle.

“If I couldn’t show Lorraine that I could be a good and supportive husband, how would I do the same thing with you? It was so easy for me to discredit her without knowing her side of the story and now I feel so ashamed of myself.” He admitted and took a deep breath as his eyes watered.

“You were confused, Dexter, you did what any man in your shoes should do. What makes you a better man is that you have realized your mistakes and you’re willing to learn from them.” I advised him, my heart breaking at the sight of his tears.

I drew closer to him and wrapped my arm around him. He yielded to my touch as he buried his face on my neck, sobbing silently. I caressed his back softly until he became calm.

“You speak like Lorraine a lot.” He confessed and I smiled genuinely because I realised that he was still very much in love with me. His feelings were only misled to the wrong identity I created.

I couldn’t wait to clear it off soon so that we could be together again.

“So what do you plan to do now?” I asked the most dreadful question, but it was very important if we were to meet again.

“I’m going to find her and talk to her, then we can begin from there.” His thumb grazed my chin and he darted towards him. “For certain reasons, I don’t regret having my seed inside of you, but we can’t continue like this. I’m punishing you by allowing you to drag the yoke of my past along with me. This is something that I have to do alone, but I’ll also need all the support I can get. Can you give me that?” He asked penitently.

This was the moment I should have let out the truth, but I just couldn’t say anything yet, so I agreed to help him.

“I’ve been the one pushing you to do the right thing, so I support you wholeheartedly and I hope that you find… her.” My voice cracked and thankfully, he didn’t notice the conflict in my eyes.

He stood up and dug his hands into his pocket. “Let’s be friends?” He stretched his hand and I gazed at him.

I embraced him and planted a kiss on his cheeks. “Friends aren’t informal with each other.” I corrected him and we burst into laughter.

His face turned serious as his eyes lowered to my stomach. “This arrangement doesn’t mean that I won’t take responsibility for our child, I hope you understand that.”This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

“I know. We… we’ll make the best parents.” I stuttered.

“Have a good night.” He said and headed for the door while I followed him.

“Tell Lilly I said hi as well,” I said and shut the door.

Once I’d ensured that he was out of the vicinity, I shut the door, turned off the light and let the painful tears flow out.