The Space Between

Chapter 12: Life lessons

As they made their way toward the diner's front door, Betty stopped by them by the register , giving Nicholas a warm smile. "Thank you for your generosity, sugar," she said with a slight tilt of her head, holding up the bill with wide eyes. Nicholas had left a $50 tip on a $20 check.

He stepped closer, gently placing his hand over hers. "It's no problem. I appreciate you for being here tonight," he replied with a sincerity that softened his voice.

Betty gave his hand a light squeeze, her weathered face creasing into a genuine smile. "Not many folks that kind these days," she murmured.

Melanie stood quietly at his side, watching the exchange unfold with a mixture of confusion and admiration. How could Dominic become the man he is when he was raised by someone like Nicholas? she wondered. The contrast between father and son was jarring—Nicholas, with his quiet compassion, and Dominic, with his relentless need for control and destruction.

When they reached the car, Nicholas stopped at the passenger door, resting his hand on the roof as if anchoring himself. Melanie turned to him, waiting, but something in his eyes made her chest tighten. His expression was heavy—haunted by things he hadn't said yet.

"Melanie," he began quietly, his voice catching just enough to betray the emotions building beneath. "That's not the only reason I told you what I did back there." He exhaled slowly, as if releasing the weight of the words about to follow. "My father didn't just hurt me... He hurt my mother too."

Nicholas's hands trembled slightly as he wiped his face, trying to keep his composure. His gaze dropped to the pavement, and his breathing grew shallow. Melanie watched in stunned silence, unsure whether to speak or just let him finish.

"I was thirteen." His voice cracked, and tears welled in his eyes, the ones he fought so hard to suppress. "She... she couldn't take it anymore. My mom took her own life to escape him."

Melanie's heart clenched painfully in her chest, the full weight of his confession crashing over her like a wave. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came.

Nicholas sniffled hard, rubbing his face with the heel of his palm, trying to hold back the flood. "I was the one who found her," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "She didn't even leave a note. Just... left me there to figure it out on my own."

Melanie felt a sharp ache in her heart—not just for the child Nicholas had been, but for the man still carrying the scars of that trauma. She took a step closer, the need to offer some form of comfort overwhelming her. "I'm so sorry, Nicholas," she whispered, her voice soft and sincere.

He shook his head, as if brushing away her apology. "Don't be sorry," he muttered, wiping at his eyes again. "You didn't do it." There was no bitterness in his tone—just a deep, aching sadness.

Nicholas drew in a long breath, his gaze finally meeting hers, eyes red-rimmed but steady. "The reason I'm telling you this is because you need to get out, Melanie," he said, his voice more urgent now. "You can't stay in this. I've seen what it does—what men like that can do. This isn't your fault."

Tears pricked at Melanie's eyes, but she blinked them away. She wanted to believe him, to believe that leaving was an option, but a lifetime of doubt and guilt weighed heavy on her mind.

Nicholas's voice softened, but there was an edge of knowing sadness to it. "I know about the baby," he said quietly.

The words hit her like a punch to the chest. She sucked in a breath, her heart twisting with grief and shame she hadn't even fully processed. "How...?" she whispered, her voice faltering.

Nicholas gave her a small, broken smile. "Dominic doesn't know I know. When i came over i saw the test in the trash, i was waiting to hear the news but it never came"

Melanie bit her lip, her hands trembling as she tried to keep it together. All the emotions she had buried—loss, guilt, anger—rose to the surface in a tidal wave threatening to swallow her whole.

"You don't deserve this," Nicholas said, his voice unwavering despite the tears that still clung to his lashes. "You've already lost so much... Don't lose yourself, too."

For the first time in what felt like forever, Melanie felt something shift inside her. Nicholas's words reached places she had kept locked away, breaking down the walls she thought were unbreakable.

She gave a small nod, unable to find the words to respond. But in that moment, she knew Nicholas was right—something had to change.

It wasn't just about surviving anymore. It was about finding a way to live.