Chapter 34: Too Late

Ashton's POV

Teaching my son the basics of football is the best thing I have done in the last eight years. Every time he laughs, it gives me a different feeling of gratification, and his laughter makes me feel so delighted that I come and visit them.

It was a beautiful feeling playing on the lawn with Axel while Megan watched us. And how I wish it would be like this every weekend for us. The way Megan was looking at me every time our son wasn't watching told me it would just be a dream for now.

After almost an hour of running and chasing my little buddy around, he got thirsty, and he asked for some water. He excused himself and went inside the house while I watched Megan the whole time, and I couldn't stop myself from walking closer to her.

I wondered what she was looking at since she was smiling, and I could tell it was something entertaining because she didn’t even notice Axel and I had stopped playing. I was looking at her intensely, and I wanted to take her into my arms because I missed the feeling of having Megan in my arms.

As I watched her, I couldn't stop myself from reminiscing about the past. I missed everything we did together at my grandpa's estate, especially the treehouse and my favorite spot at Astikoz Hills. I wondered if she ever thought about those memories we had. I missed her so much, and I hoped one day Megan would look at me the same way—full of love instead of anger.

As expected, Megan's smile faded right away when she looked up and found me watching her. Her face hardened, and she started barking at me. When I attempted to come closer, she stopped me immediately. Even though I had prepared for this moment for the last eight years, nothing could have prepared me for the pain I felt when she said the only way she could forgive me was if I stopped bothering her. It hurt so much when Megan said she didn’t want to see me anymore.

I wanted to protest, but Axel came back with a chessboard in his hands, and I should thank my son for saving me. I hoped he would be the key to winning his mother’s heart once more.

"Can we play chess, Uncle Ashton?" my little boy asked, and I smiled at him and nodded.

"Axel, we need to eat breakfast first. I think you should play chess with your Uncle Ashton after eating, okay?" Megan softly said to our son.

"Okay, Mom," he responded, turning around and going back inside the house to return the chessboard. I thought it was my chance to tell Megan what I wanted to say, but her staff came out carrying trays, and I realized they would be eating breakfast on the porch.

"I think I should stay in my car while you eat your breakfast with Axel," I said, and Megan looked at me, and I could see the surprise on her face.

"Ashton, you can stay and eat breakfast with us. I’m sure Axel would be delighted if you dined with us," Clara said, and I smiled at her.

"Thank you for the invitation, Clara, but I don’t think—" I said, but Megan interjected.

"Take a seat, Ashton, and have breakfast with us," she said calmly. Even though I could tell she felt forced to invite me, I felt so happy that I sat down right away across from her.

When Axel returned, he was beaming from ear to ear, and I noticed the paper bag on the chair beside Megan was still unopened. She hadn't even tried to see what was inside, and I felt disappointed. But then I got a brilliant idea—I could use the contents of the paper bag as an excuse to come back and revisit them, and I couldn’t stop myself from smiling.

It felt nice to eat with Megan and our son, and this is the second time I’ve wanted something this badly. I wanted to have them in my life, and I don’t know how to make it happen. No matter how much she tries to push me away, I have to make her realize I want to be part of their lives. On the other hand, I don’t want to make her unhappy. Maybe I’ll ask her for one more chance to talk and allow me to say everything I want to say. If she can’t give me another chance, I’ll have to let her go. But I want Axel to know I am his real father, not the singer.

I played chess with Axel until his mom told him he needed to stop and work on some assignments. I thought it was my cue to leave, but I felt delighted when Axel told Megan he wanted me to help him with his assignments. I could see the disappointment in Megan's face when our son took my hand and pulled me inside the house.

I was impressed by the interior design of her home, and I smiled as I realized I still knew Megan by heart. Axel brought me to his room, and I couldn’t stop myself from feeling hurt when I saw the picture frame on his side table. It was a photo of Megan and Axel together with Gael, and they looked like one happy family. I wondered if Gael was really his father, as Megan claimed. I’d heard stories of mothers being so angry with someone during pregnancy that the child ends up looking like the person they hate. If that’s true, then Megan must have hated me perfectly—because Axel is my carbon copy.

But I still believe in science; the genes in his body belong to me, and that’s why we look identical. I enjoyed teaching Axel his lessons, and I realized my morning with him had been very productive. I didn’t want to stress Megan, so before lunchtime, I said goodbye to my boy. Since I couldn’t find Megan, I said goodbye to Clara and told her I would visit Axel at his school one of these days.

I was on my way out when I came across Gael. I could see the stunned expression on his face, and I could tell he was very angry.

"What are you doing here, Ashton?" he asked in a stern voice.

"I came to visit Axel," I replied. I could tell he was sizing me up, and I could see that beneath his anger was sadness. I wondered why he looked so miserable.

"Oh, I see. I didn’t know you were fond of my son," he said flatly, and I felt a pang in my chest. I wondered if Megan was really telling the truth that Gael was Axel's father. I suddenly felt my legs tremble. I was such a jerk, and I knew I was still in love with Megan. Still, I didn’t come here to ruin her relationship with Gael—if they really were a couple. I wondered if Alice did all this to make me look like a fool. I realized she might have done it to get back at me for hurting her best friend, and Clara could be an accomplice.

"He is an adorable child, and I guess everyone will find him charming," I replied, even though my mind was chaotic. I thought I had a chance with her.

"I don’t know why you're here, Ashton, but I’m warning you: don’t ever come near Megan again. You have no idea how much she suffered because of you. She’s happy with me now, and we have our son. So you better get out of my house before I drag you away," he said, and I felt like cold water had washed over me when I heard him say I was at his house.

I walked to my car feeling so defeated. I realized I had come for nothing. I had been excited to meet Megan, and I had been thinking Axel was my son. But now I realized the person my grandfather hired wasn’t wrong after all when he concluded that Megan was living with Gael and their son.

I drove away from their driveway with tears in my eyes. I realized I was too late. And I didn’t like Alice for playing with my feelings. Well, I deserved it for being an idiot. I knew how much I had hurt Megan in the past, and I could see it on her face. I had thought that behind Megan’s anger, she still had feelings for me. Maybe Axel is my son, but Gael is already the father on his birth certificate, and Axel already acknowledges Gael as his father. Who am I to ruin Megan’s peaceful life again?

"And just like that, you’re going to surrender?" Isabelle asked the moment I told her everything that happened at Megan’s place after I got home. I felt so glad she came home, or else I would have been dealing with my pain alone.

"Isabelle, I love Megan, and this is the best thing I can do for her. I need to leave her alone so she can be happy again. She became so cold toward me, and it hurt me to see her in pain. She even told me hearing my name pained her. Even if I want her back, she doesn’t want me anymore, Isabelle," I said, and my sister moved closer to me and put her arms around me, giving me sisterly comfort. I knew that even in silence, my sister could help me feel better—but deep inside, I knew only Megan could make me feel whole and happy again.