Love and Debt

Andrew sat in his office after his meeting with the board. It was already six in the evening, and he had already done all the paperwork.

Nina told him that she had signed the divorce paper and that James would be leaving the country tonight. Andrew called Luke earlier, and he confirmed that James talked to him about the Santelmo Clan's plan. It was also confirmed that the divorce had been processed.

He sighed. So what if she's divorced now? She lied to him and left with just a divorce paper. He wanted an explanation, but she didn't even tell him why. He found out two months after when his mother suddenly appeared. What's the worst? She got married to the enemy's son.

Andrew knew that Brie needed her mother, and he would never agree to be away from his daughter. Four years had been too long, and he wanted to do everything for Brie from now on.

He stood up and left his office. He didn't have anything to do anyway, so he decided to go home. 

Nina was pacing back and forth. James' flight was nine in the evening, and it was already seven. She wondered if Andrew would allow Brie to see his foster father. Her face lit up when the door opened, and she saw Andrew walking inside.

She bit her lips and waited for him to say yes. But like this morning, he didn't say a word and just sat down on the couch.

"How's your day, Brie?" He asked.

"It's been great, daddy!" Brie simply answered, kissing Andrew on the cheek.

He smiled. Brie's gesture made him happy. Then he glanced at Nina, who was standing next to the couch. She was biting her lips, and he knew she wanted to ask him about what she said this morning.

He took a deep breath and then turned to his daughter again.

"Brie, would you like to stay with your dad, I mean James?" He asked.

Nina couldn't believe what Andrew had asked. But maybe he was worried that Brie would want to stay with James since he was the one who became his father for four years.

"I want to stay here, with you and mommy." Brie whispered while bowing her head.

"Aren't you going to miss him? I mean, he took care of you when I was not around." Andrew said.

Brie looked at Andrew and tears started falling from her eyes.

"Don't you like to be with mommy and me?" The little girl asked while wailing.

Andrew's eyes widened. He rushed towards her and hugged her tightly.

"No. I loved being with you. But it's complicated, Brie. He was your father for four years, and I think he's been nice to you. I don't want to force you to stay with me." He explained.

"No. I will stay here. I know daddy James would want that, too." Brie said.

Andrew understood and nodded. He kissed her on the forehead and smiled.

"Let's go then. You have to say goodbye to him, right?" Andrew said in a gentle voice.

Brie nodded and smiled back. He knew she was happy to see James even for the last time.

When Brie ran to the bedroom, Nina stared at Andrew and slightly smiled.

"T-Thank you." She said.

"It's not because of you. It's for Brie. I'll wait in the parking lot." Andrew coldly said before leaving Nina in the living room.

Nina's heart felt like it was being impaled. It's painful being hated by the only man she loved, but what can she do? She just had to accept every punishment from him. She deserved it anyway.

Andrew drove the car himself and didn't ask the driver to take them to the airport. Nina was supposed to sit at the back, but Brie insisted that she had to sit in front. Andrew didn't say a word and just nodded in agreement.

On the way to the airport, Andrew was distracted by Nina. He didn't realize that she was wearing a short dress, exposing half of her thighs. And Nina regrets agreeing with Brie. She kept on pulling her dress because it was too short. When they stopped at an intersection, Andrew took off his suit and handed it to Nina.

If they were still together, he would just tease her and maybe touch her by now. But it's different now. They had separated for four years. After being alone, Andrew never slept with anyone, but Nina became someone's wife.

"T-Thank you." He murmured.

When they arrived at the airport, he let Nina take Brie, telling them he'd follow them. But the truth was his chest felt so tight because he could see Nina was sad that James was leaving.

"She's your ex-wife. She lied to you and deceived you. Move on." He said to herself.

He went inside the airport and saw James hugging Brie. The girl was crying, and so was Nina. Andrew couldn't understand why Nina would agree to their divorce. It was obvious she loved James.

When James saw him, he walked to get closer to him. Nina and Brie were just looking at the two men from afar.

"Thank you for allowing me to say goodbye." James said.

"Thank you for taking care of my daughter." Andrew answered.

"I'm letting her go, so please make her happy. I know she made a mistake, and her decision was stupid, but believe me, she suffered at the hands of my father. I was able to save her after two years when my father became ill. I was a coward, I know. Nina deserved to be happy. And I know I'm not the person who could give her happiness. I hope you can forgive her and forget everything. If not, I will come back and take her again." James said before turning his back away from Andrew.

Andrew frowned. He still couldn't understand everything about James and Nina. But he pitied the guy. James really loved Nina and Brie. Andrew could see it in his eyes. It was painful for him to leave them.

They were quiet on the way home when Brie suddenly asked her mother.

"Mommy, where will you stay now? Where are your clothes?" She asked.

Andrew waited for Nina to answer.

"I told them to send my things to Northbay City Hotel, so it's already there. I'll stay there for a few days until I find an apartment." She answered.

Andrew saw Brie was glancing at her in the rearview mirror. He sighed. He knew what his daughter wanted.

"You can stay with us." Andrew whispered, making Brie's face lit up.

"You heard that, mommy? Daddy said to stay with us. We'll be a family again!" Brie excitedly said.

Nina turned to Brie.

"Brie, stop it. It's not that easy." Nina murmured.

"Why? Don't you want to be with daddy anymore?" Brie asked, pouting.

Nina was surprised by her question. If she told the truth, Andrew might think that she was lying. If she lied, he might get mad.

"Fine. I'll stay." She said.

Brie was happy with her mother's decision. Andrew was quiet. He wasn't sure if his decision was the right choice, but he didn't want to disappoint his daughter or see her sad.

Andrew called the hotel and asked them to move Nina's things to his apartment. When they arrived, it was already there.

"Here's your luggage, honey." Nina told Brie while showing her two pink luggage.

"I only have one bedroom here. You can use that, and I'll sleep here in the living room." Andrew said.

Nina suddenly felt shy, knowing that Andrew would sleep on the couch.

"Are you sure it's okay?" She asked.

Andrew smirked. "Why? Would you like me to join you in bed?"

Nina's eyes widened. Her heart was beating so fast. She admitted that she felt excited when he suddenly teased her like that. When they were together, he always did that, and she badly missed those memories.

"I-I mean-"

"It's fine. I was just teasing you. Tomorrow, we'll go home." Andrew said, cutting her off.

"Home, daddy? This isn't your house?" Brie interrupted.

Andrew nodded and smiled at his daughter.

"Yes and no. This apartment is mine. I always stay here when I want to be alone. But I have two other houses—one in Primrose and one in Northbay City." He answered.

Nina was surprised to hear Primrose. It's where they lived after they got married.

"The house in Primrose, is it still that house?" She mustered the courage to ask him.

"Yes. I couldn't sell it. Luke and the others didn't want me to sell it, so I just visited the house occasionally. I'm planning to bring Brie to Queen's anyway so she can meet the twins. You can stay there starting tomorrow." Andrew answered.

Nina didn't know what to feel at the moment. She wanted to run towards Andrew and jump into his arms. She badly missed him. She tried to tell him that he was the only man in her heart and that she never slept with James in their marriage years.. If only that were too easy to say.