Faded Promises

27

Hanna POV

I'm sitting cross-legged on my bed, scrolling on my phone when dad knocks on the door.

I look at him as he enters the room, but quickly I frown. He's using his soft smile, he uses it always when he's gonna ask me to do something he knows I don't want to.

"Hey, kiddo," he says, sitting down on the edge of my bed.

I really don't like this smile and he has something on his hand but I can't figure out what it is.

"I was thinking, you know it's your mom's birthday today."

Yeah I do know. I've been wondering if I just text her or go to her place.

I sigh, setting my phone aside. "Yeah, I know," she reply

He nods, he looks in my eyes like a plead and then holds out the object in his hand.

It's a photo, worn around the edges, of me with mom when I was a kid. It's us in the park, my arms wrap up at my mom neck like I was a koala.

We're both showing a big smile towards the camera.

Seeing the picture brought a lump to my throat, memories came flowing of the relationship we had. I miss it, I miss this size of her.

Maybe I'm being to harsh on her... she's still my mom. It hurts she left us but seeing this it made my heart clench.

"Hanna, I know things have been... tough between you two," dad says, his voice gentle. "But she's still your mom. And I think it would mean a lot to her if you spent some time with her today."

I keep staring at the photo, my emotions warring inside me.

Part of me wants to tear it up, to reject the idea of spending time with the woman who had caused so much pain on us . But another part of me missed her... a lot. Miss the way things used to be before everything fell apart.

Dad must have sensed my hesitation because he placed a hand on my knee, squeezing gently. "Just think about it, okay? You don't have to stay long. Just... show her you care."

I nod slowly "Okay. I'll go."

He smiles, relief evident in his eyes. "Thanks, kiddo. I think it'll be good for both of you." He kisses my forehead and leaves the room

I thought of asking Aiden to drive me there but he said he was gonna be with the boys so I don't wanna bother him.

Just took my dad's car since he's gonna be home either way.

It's been a long time since I last been here, and it wasn't good. We fought because she said I didn't look happy being with her. I wasn't.

But now I'm here.

As I pull up to the house, something caught my eye—someone caught my eye. I froze as I saw a man leaving my mom's house, his posture familiar even from a distance. Aiden's dad.

What he's doing here?

My blood ran cold, a million questions racing through my mind. What was he doing here? Why was he coming out of her house? And then, the pieces started to fall into place, each one more devastating than the last.

His dad kissed my mom. MY MOM.

I think I'm gonna be sick.

I get out of the car slowly, my legs feeling like lead as I walk to the house. My mom is standing in the doorway, her expression a mixture of surprise and something else—guilt.

At least she noticed me.

I stop right in front of her, my eyes narrowing. "What is he doing here?" I demand to know , my voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear.

Her eyes darted away, she can't even look me in the eyes. "Hanna, I—"

"Are you two...?" My voice cracked, the words catching in my throat. "Are you in a relationship?"

The silence that followed was deafening. She didn't have to say anything; the answer was written all over her face.

The guilt, the hesitation, the way she couldn't look me in the eye—they're sleeping together and he's fucking married!

"How long?" I ask

"Baby..."

"How long?!"

"Before the divorce," my mom admitted, her voice shaking. "Hanna, I never wanted to hurt you, but—"

And Aiden dad is just looking at us like he's not guilty of anything. I hate this man.

"But what?" I snap, taking a step back as if the distance could protect my from the pain I'm feeling "You were married, Mom! Is he the reason for the divorce? Is this why everything fell apart?"

She looks down, tears welling up in her eyes. "Yes," she whisperer, the word like a dagger to my heart. "But it's more complicated than that. Your father and I—"

"I don't want to hear it!" I freaking shouted, my voice breaking as the tears I've been holding back finally spill over. "I don't want to hear any of your excuses! I can't believe you... I hate you! Don't you ever call me or dad for that matter"

She flinches as if I had slap her, I wish I did "Hanna, please—"

"I never want to see you again!" I say

Without waiting for a response, I turn on her heel and ran back to my car, the sound of her voice calling after me fading into the background as she slammed the door and sped away.

By the time I got home, I was a mess.

My tears dried on her cheeks, red eyes and still an immense rage inside me.

I park the car and just stay here for a moment, trying to gather myself , but the weight of what I just saw it's too much.

I stumble inside, my vision blurred by fresh tears.

Dad is in the living room, watching TV, but as soon as he saw me he jumps up. Even crying I can see he's worried as sick watching me like this.

"Hanna? What happened?" he asks, rushing over to me

I collapse into his arms, the sobs wracking my body as I grabbing to him. "Dad, it's... it's Mom. She's... she's with Aiden's dad. She cheated on you"

His body tense as he hold me, he must be destroyed knowing this. I would. I saw how many night he was up after the divorce. He couldn't sleep or eat, it was awful and know he knows the reason.

He doesn't say anything, just hold me tighter and lets me cry.

After a few minutes, when my sobs had subsided into quiet sniffles, he pulls back slightly, tilting my chin up so I'm looking at him. "Hanna, I'm so sorry you had to find out like this."

That's not the answer I was expecting ... I shake my head. "You knew, didn't you?"

He hesitates , then nods slowly. "She told me when she asked for the divorce. I didn't want to burden you with it. I wanted you to have a relationship with your mom, despite everything. She cheated on me not on you"

I'm too stunned to even speak, they both lied to me. No mistakes I'm still on my dad's side but he should've told me the reason, the true reason why they broke up.

I pull away from him, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. "I can't believe she would do this. And she's still with him, Dad. After everything. You should've told me"

His jaw tightening , his anger finally bubbling to the surface. "She should have hidden it better. I can't believe she let you find out like this. And he's still married..."

My mind is spinning, trying to process everything.

He's right. He's still married, to Aiden's mom. My mom is the one he cheated with.

The betrayal, the lies... it's too much.

And what would this mean for me and Aiden? Could I even tell him about this? Would it destroy our relationship too?