Blessing in Disguise (MM)

Chapter Forty Six

ARIS' POV

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I haven't moved from the sofa all day. Luca practically ordered me to stay home and rest because I didn't have a very good sleep and this morning I looked like a literal corpse. When he walked through the door later that evening I practically burst with relief. It's incredibly isolating being alone all day and watching nothing productive on TV.

Now we're watching a movie together that makes us both laugh. We ordered dinner because neither of us could be bothered to cook and I smile at the thought of these cute nights in. It's what I've been looking forward to all day.

There is a knock at the door and I practically jump from how hard my stomach is growling. I grab onto the handle and swing open the door but it's not who I was expecting at all. Nick stares back at me with Elodie in his arms. I'm certain my face begins to pale.

"Aris!" Elodie shouts before I get the chance to recover from my slack expression.

Nick places her down but doesn't take his eyes off me. He looks somewhat better from the cafe the other day but not much. I guess neither of us are sleeping. "H-hey," I murmur towards her, completely caught off guard.

She wraps her arms around my legs and presses her head into my hip. "I've missed you so much," she exhales. "I want you to come home. We need you there."

My eyes ache as I stroke back her hair, unable to look at Nick for obvious reasons. Home? "I miss you too," I whisper, trying my hardest to keep it together.

I suck up the courage to look at Nick who is staring at us both with nothing but adoration in his eyes but there is something holding him back–guilt.

"Are you happy we came to see you?" Elodie asks with a bright grin.

My throat clears quietly and I nod in her direction. I can't exactly tell her that her father is an asshole now, can I?

"Yeah, sweetheart. I am."

Elodie's head turns towards Luca and then rushes into the apartment towards him. "Luca!"

"Hey, you," he says behind me.

I stare back at Nick and shake my head. "What are you doing here?"

Nick's mouth parts and his expression is strained. "I–" he stops. "Can I come in? Please."

My jaw tenses and I glance back at Luca who gives me a stern look. What am I going to do? Shove them out and tell Elodie that I won't be seeing her anymore. I don't have the guts to hurt that little girl by pushing her away–even if it's what's best. She's a child, she won't understand.

I huff out a sigh and stand out of the way. Once he's inside I shut the door and Luca gives Nick an unfriendly once over. "Uhh, Elodie," he says to her. "Why don't we give your dad and Aris some privacy? Do you want to see the new fish I have in my room?"

"You have fish?!" She practically screams at the top of her lungs.

Luca chuckles softly. "Two fish. Come. I'll show you."

They step into Luca's room and he shuts the door quietly. I breathe out and walk towards the kitchen, the furthest room from Luca so they won't be able to hear our conversation. I fold my arms over my chest and stare back at the man that once made me so incredibly happy.

Nick hesitates for a moment. He's still in his work clothes. Sleeves pushed up to his elbows and his tie is gone, buttons undone. He swipes a hand over his jaw and I notice the stubble growing there. He's usually a very well kept man who shaves everyday but clearly something has stopped him from functioning normally.