Love and Debt

Andrew went inside his bedroom and sat on the bed. He sighed. He should be mad at his ex-wife after what she did, but his heart suddenly softened seeing how adorable Brie was.

He knew she did it for him. It was a stupid decision, but his mom was alive because of Nina. He was really thankful for that. But he couldn't accept the fact that she lied to all of them.

He was startled when he heard his phone ring. It was Jayden on the phone, so he took it to answer his call.

"So, how are you?" He asked.

He knew he was asking about the dinner meeting with Nina and James last night.

"I'm honestly at a loss. I'm angry at her for leaving me because of her stupid decision, but I couldn't stay mad." Andrew started.

"Because of your daughter?" Jayden suddenly asked.

Andrew was surprised that Jayden already knew about Brie, but he remembered that Luke would definitely investigate James Santelmo's reason for getting in touch with them.

"H-How did you find out? Luke?" He asked.

"Yeah. You know that guy's a freak when it comes to safety and security. Brie's really your daughter. Nina was already pregnant when she left. James knew about it and made a lie to everyone that Brie was less than a month old when she was born. They actually made two birth certificates. One was the real one, and the other was fake. And on the real document, your name was written as the father." Jayden said.

Andrew couldn't say a word. He was thinking about what James did for Brie. Maybe he did that to protect both mother and daughter. He still couldn't understand why James wanted to divorce Nina.

Is Nina in love with James? Because it seemed she had fallen for him. He thought.

Andrew took a deep breath when he felt like something was piercing his heart. But what can he do? Four years was too long. And he wasn't really sure that Nina truly loved him when they got married.

"How's Peggy?" He asked Jayden to change the topic.

"She's fine, but I'm not sure about forgiving Nina. You know it's been hard for us, especially her. But I called to tell you that whatever your decision about your relationship with Nina, don't think about us. It's entirely your decision and not ours. We won't stop you or hold grudges. We want you to be happy, Andrew." Jayden said.

Jayden understood Andrew's feelings. Peggy left Jayden for three years, and she was pregnant back then. Unlike him, Jayden knew about the pregnancy, so he almost lost his mind thinking about the safety of his child.

"Thank you, Jayden. I couldn't think of anything else but my daughter. I want to make it up to her. I'll bring her some other time at Queen's so she can meet the twins." Andrew said.

The twins were Luke and Alora's children. They're already ten years old, and he knew Brie would love to meet them. Jayden and Peggy's son, Caden, was the current crown prince of Flousia, so he stayed in the palace until he turned eighteen.

Andrew heard a knock on the door after talking to Jayden. It was Brie who came running towards him.

"Daddy, breakfast is ready. Come on! I'm starving!" Brie called Andrew.

He didn't say a word and just smiled at her. When they came to the dining table, Andrew saw Nina making coffee. Her hair was ponytailed already, and she was wearing an apron.

He couldn't deny that he missed her a lot. He remembered her every morning preparing breakfast for him, and he would come home to her before seven in the evening after work so they could eat dinner together.

Andrew wished that he could forgive her and forget everything that had happened. But it was still too painful for him.

"Daddy, mommy said bacon is your favorite breakfast. It's my favorite, too!" Brie exclaimed.

"That's great to know." He simply answered.

The father and daughter sat down then Nina walked towards Andrew, putting down the cup of coffee.

"I-I'll wait in the living room." Nina whispered.

Andrew saw Brie was staring at her, and he knew what she wanted him to do. He sighed then turned to Nina, who was about to walk out of the dining room.

"Eat." Andrew simply said.

"Mommy, come on, let's eat! I heard your stomach rumbling when you're cooking." Brie said.

"T-That's not true! I'm not hungry!" Nina stammered.

Andrew frowned. Nina bit her lips when she felt Andrew's gaze. She turned to them and sat down across Brie without a word.

Brie smiled then started to eat breakfast. Nina suddenly grabbed the morning newspaper and handed it to Andrew. It was an old habit. She knew Andrew loved reading the news every morning.

Andrew was surprised, and so was Nina.

"I-I'm sorry. I-I thought you still read them every morning." She stammered.

Andrew didn't say a word and just took the newspaper. He started reading them while he sipped his coffee. He was again surprised that the coffee tasted the same four years ago. Nothing changed.

After breakfast, Nina took care of the dishes while Andrew returned to his room to prepare for work. 

He said Brie would stay with him, and she would remain with Brie while Andrew was at work. She sighed. She needed to go home before sundown because James and the rest of the Santelmo Clan would be leaving tonight.

Nina had to tell Andrew to let Brie see James for the last time, but she was afraid that he would think something differently.

She looked at Brie, who was watching TV in the living room. She had to tell Brie about James, and she had just divorced.

Andrew suddenly came inside the kitchen, wearing blue long sleeves while holding two ties in his hands. He hesitated at first, then looked at Nina with a frown on his face.

"Choose." He said.

Nina was surprised and just picked one of the ties. Then she took it to assist Andrew. It was her chance to talk to him about Brie.

She stood in front of him and started putting the tie around his neck. Her heart was beating so fast, standing so close to Andrew. She wanted to hug him and beg for his forgiveness, but it wasn't the right time yet.

"C-Can you allow Brie to say goodbye to James?" She bravely asked.

Andrew frowned. "Why? He could still see her anytime. I just want to spend more time with Brie. But if she wanted to stay with you and James, I can't do anything about it. I won't force anything on the kid."

Nina nodded and took a deep breath before continuing.

"James and the rest of the Santelmo Clan will be moving to another country tonight. So Brie may never see him again." She started.

Andrew frowned again. He was confused by what Nina had said.

"James gave me the divorce paper before I came here. I signed it. He said he wouldn't force me to go with him. I'm telling you this, hoping that you would allow Brie to see him and say goodbye." Nina continued.

Andrew didn't say a word and turned around after she was done fixing his tie. Then Nina saw him kiss Brie on the cheek and left. She sighed while holding on to her chest.

"Stop it, heart. You can just love him silently from now on. You have no right to be with him." She whispered to herself.

Nina couldn't cry. It was painful for her to see Andrew hating her, but it was her fault. Now that she's free from the Santelmo's, she would just wish for Andrew's forgiveness. She would never ask for his heart.

She had to look for an apartment nearby to go to Brie whenever she had to. After cleaning Andrew's apartment, she sat in the living room beside Brie and searched the internet using her phone.

"Mommy, why are you looking for a house?" Brie curiously asked.

Nina smiled at her and decided to tell her what had happened to James and her.

"Brie, your father, I mean James, and I decided to divorce. I wanted to tell you everything that happened, but you're still young. I want you to know that neither your real father nor James was at fault. It was all me. It was because of the stupid decision that I made four years ago. In time, I'll tell you everything. And I'm sorry, honey, for everything." She said in a gentle voice.

Brie shook her head and smiled back at her.

"It's okay, mommy. I know your decision had a good reason, and daddy would forgive you someday. I'm sad about daddy James. He's a nice guy, and he will forever be in my heart. Can I see him?" Brie asked.

Nina didn't answer. It was Andrew's decision, not hers.. But she hoped that he would at least allow James to see Brie for the last time.