Legally Married✔️

Chapter 36

W I N T E R

The day went by rather quickly, I don't know if it was because we were having fun singing Christmas carols or because I hadn't still spoken to Leo yet.

My eyes glimmered with happiness as I watched Leo dressed in matching holiday sweaters with the girls host a mini karaoke session in the living room while I sat curled up on the sofa as I slowly dipped on my hot cocoa.

A chuckle escaped my lips as Leonardo went off key while singing Riptide by Vance Joy.

"Stop!" Iris used her palms to block both sides of her ear.

"This feels like torture." Cassidy looked utterly sick as she shook her head in disappointment.

That didn't stop Leo though, in fact it seemed like the discouragement was fueling him to go on but knowing him, he's probably doing it to annoy the girls.

"You're just jealous!" Leo turned to both girls after his song ended.

"Jealous?" Cassidy scoffed. "You sounded like a whale crying for help." She rolled her eyes.

"You wouldn't know real talent even if it slapped you across the face." Leo retorted and walked away from them but walking towards my direction.

Is he coming here?

My heart raced and my breath quickened and I sat up on the chair.

"Can I cash in on the gift you gave me tonight?" He leaned in and whispered in my ear.

The coupon I gave was an all expense paid trip to Maldives.

"Now?" I lifted my eyes to meet his. "It's winter; I really don't think we would be able to get-"

His chuckle interrupted me causing me to pause.

"What's funny?" I gave him a serious look.

"I didn't mean literally cash in on the trip. I meant that I really want us to talk tonight." He explained.

"Oh." I bellowed. I glanced to our front and saw the girls talking to each other. "Here?" I asked.

"We can go upstairs I guess." He suggested.

I nodded in agreement, I grabbed a blanket to wrap myself up and followed behind Leo who led me to the upstairs balcony. We sat down on the white sofa next to each other while enjoying the view of the winter garden.

So far into the month but yet no traces of snow. Christmas went really well but the feels would have been so much better if it snowed.

"So," Leonardo cleared his throat drawing my attention to him. "I really want to apologize for the other day, it was wrong of me to dump all my emotions on you like that because like you said, I really don't know how it must have felt to lose someone like that." He apologized with a sober look.

"No," I tugged on my white blanket. "I should also apologize for saying you don't know what it feels like to lose someone you love, that was really insensitive of me." I sighed.

"It's all good." He leaned back on the chair. "Not gonna lie, losing Riona was a huge blow to me. I loved her a lot and not once did I ever get to hear her say she loved me back but I know she cared about me. The girls are a constant reminder of her and that's why I always want to protect and see them smile and be happy because I know that is exactly what she'd want." He sighed.

His face void of any emotion, he just stared at the fake potted plant that rested on the table. You'd be able to tell that he was hurting as he talked about it.

I've never seen him look that way before. He looked so vulnerable and so precious. More like a defeated kid who just misplaced his favorite toy.

"But," His straight lips turned upwards. "I've learned to live with it and to be honest, I didn't think I would fall in love again and certainly not with you who so rudely talked back at me at the club." He chuckled as we both recalled our first encounter. "But life's strange and look at me now." He shook his head.

"I'm really sorry about Riona." I muttered. "You're a great guy for taking such good care of the girls. They are lovely." I paused. "But I'm not as courageous as you, I don't know if I can talk about my past bu-"

"You don't have to. I only wanted you to know how I really feel about you. You don't have to tell me anything if you're not ready." He tried to make me feel better.

"No, it's alright." I replied. "My boyfriend's name was Damian. He had dark hair and honey brown eyes. He also had the brightest smile ever whenever he was with me." I smiled as I remembered him.

"Damian was very special. He loved me so much that I can't even describe. He always came to my rescue even though it always landed him in trouble. He died trying to save me from a crazy ex. I watched him die. He died trying to protect me. He would have been here today if he hadn't met me. It was all my fault." A tear escaped my eyes and landed on my cheek. n

My heart clenched as I remembered him, maybe talking about it wasn't a good idea after all. I wiped away the tear which stained my cheek.

"It's not your fault Winter, I believe in destiny. I believe things happen for a reason." Leo's voice filled the air. "And also, you don't need to hide your pain. It's what makes us human." He comforted.

He came right in front of me, went down to my level and used his thumb to wipe awayI the rest of the tears.

I lifted my eyes to meet his while he had the most reassuring smile ever. My heart which felt heavy a while ago was beating so fast that I felt it was going to jump out of my chest at any given moment.

Why does his presence only give me peace? It's always feels like a storm inside of me but whenever he gives me that smile; the storms fade.

What exactly do I feel for him?

"You are obviously still hurting and I think you should take your time to heal without me trying to push my feelings unto you-"

I interrupted by placing my hand on his arm while a smile rested on my face. "Thank you so much for understanding me but I-"

"Which is why I think we should go our separate ways." He interrupted me.

It took me about a couple of seconds to process what he had just told me.

My smile froze; "W-what?" I stammered.

He got up to his feet, "Yes, I think we should get a divorce." His hand held onto the seams of his Christmas sweater.

**