Chapter 6

After nine long months, I poured every ounce of strength I had to bring my child into this world. I refused to give up my baby. Draken may have left me, but my child... never.

Father cast me out of the house, so I began living on my own. Still, Mother and Matthew stayed by my side when I gave birth. They often visited my small apartment just to see my baby boy, Madrid Tierro. I gave him my surname, not his father’s.

Mom and Matthew would bring us daily necessities and even help take care of him.

"I have to go now, mom. Please look after Madrid for a while," I said before leaving for work.

"I’ll take care of my grandson. Be careful, okay?" she said gently. I kissed my son's forehead before stepping out.

I worked as a saleslady at the mall. Ever since I moved out with my son, I had to find a way to earn and provide for us. I was twenty-three years old enough to stand on my own.

Almost every midnight, Madrid would cry non-stop, keeping me awake until dawn. Mom and Matthew couldn’t always stay with us. They had their own responsibilities too. I had to endure and push through the exhaustion for my child’s sake.

On my days off, I took side jobs through online selling. Clothes, perfumes, and whatever else I could profit from. It was difficult, yes, but necessary for our daily expenses.

That became our life... just the two of us. And as a mother, I had to work twice as hard to make sure my son had everything he needed. Although mom and Matthew supported us whenever they could, I couldn’t depend on them for everything.

Besides, my son would soon start school one day. I needed to save for that, to prepare for his future.

I no longer hoped... nor would I ever hope that Draken would help us. From the day I got pregnant until the moment I gave birth, I never heard from him again. And I didn’t need to. My life had already shown me enough. He was never worthy of me and of my son.

He was an irresponsible man.

I was busy packing customers’ orders when Charlie suddenly appeared in front of me. He was one of my regulars from my online shop, often buying t-shirts and shorts because as he always said, “the quality’s good.”

"So, are you buying another shirt?" I asked, but he shook his head.

"What? Do you think I only come here when I need to buy something?" he teased.

"Then why are you here?" I asked, puzzled.

"Oh, come on! I’ve been buying from you for months, and you still haven’t noticed? Of course, I came to see you," he said with a playful grin.

"And why would you visit me? Am I sick or something? And don’t you have anything else to do?" I shot back, amused.

"This girl, really... I just wanted to ask if you’d like to have lunch with me. Is that okay?"

"Oh? For the first time, huh? You’re treating me?"

"Obviously! It’s already noon, come on."

"Tsk! Wait, let me finish this first."

Ever since I started online selling, Charlie had been one of my most frequent customers. When we finally got to talk, I realized he was light-hearted, funny, someone who could make me forget my worries for a while.

I admit, I felt comfortable around him.

And after that first lunch, our meet-ups became more frequent. Sometimes it was dinner, sometimes breakfast. And whenever possible, we brought Madrid along. Charlie would always insist on carrying him.

MONTHS PASSED, Madrid was growing, and so was Charlie’s persistence. He had been courting me for some time now, but I still couldn’t give him an answer. I was afraid.

Afraid to love again.

When Matthew finally met Charlie, he asked, "Are you really planning to get into another relationship?"

"Why? Is there something wrong with that?" I asked back.

"Nothing wrong," he said softly. "But as your brother, I just worry about you. I don’t want to see you go through the same pain you did before. You’re finally getting back on your feet now. I just hope no man will ever tear down what you’ve worked so hard to rebuild."

I understood him completely. He was only being protective, and honestly, I feel the same fear. That’s why I hesitated to say yes to Charlie. But that didn’t mean Charlie was a bad person. Maybe... I just wasn’t ready to love again.

When I told Charlie that, he said he understood. He promised he wouldn’t give up and he would prove himself to everyone, to my family, and most of all, to me and Madrid.