𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔

Chapter |50| A Father's Regret

R Y D E R ' S P.O.V

"Never." The word leaves her mouth and suddenly a myriad of emotions flood through me all at once.

This woman...my woman, was completely amazing.

She's the one person who would never give up on me, the one person who despite everything I have done, is still there for me and she always will be.

Rushing forward, the coffee in my hands spilt out of the top, scalding my skin but I didn't care. I just needed her.

Setting them down on the table, I grip her face and kiss her hard. I pour out everything, conveying the millions of things I wanted to say but couldn't find the words to.

She hesitates for a moment, before reaching up. Her hands cup my cheeks and her lips part, just enough for my tongue to slip in. I moan, a feeling of complete ecstasy rushing through me, whilst our hot tongues collide, underneath the flashing hospital lights above us.

Pulling back, a small smile graced my face, but drops when I notice her grin expression. "That shouldn't have happened." She muttered, pulling away from me.

I yanked her back into my arms. "But it did." My forehead dropped against hers. "We happened baby, Gabi..." I titled her chin up, searching her eyes, only to find the most dreaded expression.

Regret. Like her touch burnt me, I let go of her and staggered into my seat.

She slowly sat down, her hand sliding up and down my arm in attempt to soothe the raging inferno building up inside of me. "I love you."

Those three words were usually like music to my ears, yet her tone was so solemn, forming a pit of dread in my stomach.

"I love you too." I managed to whisper back.

"That's why you know we have so much to talk about, so much to discuss. Kiara is lying in a hospital bed and no-one knows when she will awake. I'm scared that if she doesn't..."

I immediately squeezed her hand and tried to comfort her but the damn metal arm chair got in the way. "She's our brave little girl. Kiara is strong and relentless, she's a fighter, our baby is. She will wake up, and live a long and healthy life with whom ever she chooses."

She looked up, tears blurring her vision. "You mean..."

Sighing, I gave her a tight lipped smile and nodded. "If Kiara wishes to be with Aaron...if he makes her happy then, they can be together with my blessing. I just wanted to keep her safe Gabi, and I know I went about it the wrong way, but..."

"But what baby..." It'd been so long since she had called me that, and my emotions were a mess with my little girl fighting for her life and the added dreaded element for when she wakes up and is forced to see me for the first time since the fight.

I don't know when I stated crying, I just know I did.

"I'm scared." She turned to me, confusion clouding her eyes.

"Why?" God, there were so many fucking reasons.

"I kicked her out, forced her onto the streets and didn't even call her. I let my little girl stay with a complete stranger, all because of my stupid pride. She's going to hate me." I completely broke down on hospital floor 5 outside room 5D.