Love and Debt
Chapter 105: A Fresh Start

Chapter 105: A Fresh Start

"Are you okay?" Andrew asked.

They were in the car on the way home after meeting with their friends. Nina was happy to see them. Although it wasn’t as joyous as before, she was really glad she was given a chance to apologize to them.

She looked at Andrew and smiled. She still felt guilty towards her ex-husband. She was young and stupid to leave him. She wanted to make it up to him, but she’s scared that he would reject him in the end.

"Why didn’t you tell me that Jayden almost killed you?" She asked in a soft voice.

"Well, you left without me knowing and didn’t expect that you would come back. Then there’s Brie and you and everything suddenly happened so I really had no chance of telling you about it."

"I’m sorry. I-I don’t know how to make up for everything I’ve done. All I can do now is to apologize. I felt like it’s not enough."

Andrew sighed, took her hand and smiled.

"You don’t need to apologize. I want you to forget what happened in the past. I know it’s not easy because it’s a part of who we are today, but as much as possible, I don’t want to talk about it anymore especially if we’re with Brie."

Tears were starting to fill her eyes again. But before a tear dropped on her cheeks, Andrew wiped it away.

"I don’t deserve you. I don’t deserve my friends. Brie would be better with you."

Andrew frowned. "What are you talking about? I thank you for taking care of Brie. I don’t want to hear you saying those words again. Don’t give any hint of leaving me again, Nina. If you want to make it up to me then stay with me. Like I said, let’s have a fresh start and raise Brie together."

Nina cried. It was tears of joy. Even though she still had doubts about everything including herself, she would put her trust in Andrew. She will do everything to help her friends capture Benjamin Miller.

"By the way, do you think Brie knows something about Benjamin?" Andrew asked.

"I’m not really sure but I’m hoping Benjamin told Brie about the places he owns. We’ll be meeting in Queens tomorrow. Brie needs to come with us."

Andrew nodded. "Yeah. She has to meet Alira and Lucas."

Nina smiled and didn’t utter a word. After hearing what the children went through after she left, she was ashamed of herself.

"Don’t worry. The kids are fine now." Andrew whispered.

She was happy knowing that Andrew could still read what’s on her mind.

"Maybe it’s time we tell Brie exactly what happened four years ago. I know she’s still young but if we ask her about Benjamin, she would definitely get confused." Nina suggested.

Andrew was hesitant at first, but on his observation, Brie wasn’t your regular kid. She’s smarter than kids her age and maybe knows a lot more than they know already.

"Okay. But let’s take it slow. Maybe we could tell her about our trip to Paris first? I mean that’s when it all started right?"

Nina nodded. "Yes. Let’s talk to her tomorrow."

Then silenced. Andrew suddenly felt exhausted. Nina and Brie came back just two weeks ago. He had some adjustment to his schedule at work. When Nina left, he worked even during weekends. But now, he wanted to spend more time with his ex-wife and daughter so he tried to finish his work in just three days.

Nina saw Andrew leaned his head at the backrest. He looked so tired so she wanted to help him relax. She bit her lips and without a word, positioned herself on top of Andrew, straddling him.

She saw Andrew’s surprised face. She was ready to accept his rejection but he suddenly smiled while wrapping his hands around his waist.

"Is this how you want to make it up to me?" Andrew asked.

Nina pouted. "I missed you and you looked so exhausted. This is the only way I know to lessen your stress."

"Hey. I’m not stressed. But it’s true that I’m exhausted. I want to stay at home longer than spend time at the office so I told my secretary that I’ll be working for three days only.

"Then that means you’ll have to finish a week’s work in just three days. Is that the reason you stayed up all night yesterday? Andrew you don’t have to do this. How about your health?" Nina said in a worried face.

Andrew pulled her closer, hugging her tight. He leaned his face to her chest, listening to her heartbeat.

"This is enough. I want to hear your heart. I want to know if it still says my name."

"It didn’t say your name. It’s always screaming. For four years, I couldn’t utter it to anyone. I wasn’t allowed. But my heart always screamed and yearned for you."

"Thank you, Nina. You made me complete again."

Nina’s heart pounded as Andrew murmured those words. She was the one who broke him four years ago, but he still accepted her.

Andrew didn’t let him go. She was planning to make love to him, but he fell asleep while leaning on her chest. Although it was an awkward position, she let him rest.

She wrapped her arms around him, caressing his hair with one of her hands.

’Beep’

It was her cellphone. She was used to not having one for the past four years. Paolo didn’t allow her to have any communication with the outside world. Brie had a laptop and a tablet, but Paolo made sure to check everything every time Brie used it.

She carefully took her phone and was surprised to see the message on it.

She bit her lips, trying not to make a sound. Tears fell from her eyes, but she couldn’t allow herself to disturb Andrew.

’We haven’t forgiven you, but you have all the time in the world to make it up to us. Let’s have lunch tomorrow. Your treat!’

That was the message sent by Peggy. She added her again into their group chat. Like old times, she finally came back to where she ways belong—her real family.