Chapter 9

Eliana

After Nicholas left me seated in the backyard alone, I took time to let it all sink in. For the first time since my mother informed me about Robert, what Nicholas had told me had me thinking about what she must have gone through. I was so caught up in my own grief that I failed to think about how much hurt she must have been to the point of wanting another man in her life.

"Honey," My mother called, making me lift up my teary face.

"I'll be there shortly. Give me a minute." I sniffed, watching her as she nodded, then went back inside the house. I needed a few seconds to put my thoughts together. I needed to come to terms with Nicholas telling me to my face that I was basically nothing to him. On top of that, I had to accept that he was a no-go zone. Wiping off my tears with my thumb, I stood, raising my head up as if I hadn't just felt my heart shutter into pieces when Nicholas left.

"I'm sorry," I whispered the moment I got inside, making Mom and Robert turn to look at me. The