Blessing in Disguise (MM)

Chapter Forty Seven

NICK'S POV

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Everyday seems to be worse than the last. I've barely given two thoughts to my job since I destroyed my trust with Aris. Robyn has been running around trying to fix the mess with the database whilst I barely pull myself together. I don't know where I'd be without her. The company would be crashing no doubt.

I haven't heard or seen Aris since a few nights ago when I went over to his flat. He said that he couldn't forgive me and I understand the damage that I have caused. How could I hurt one of the most special people in my life? I take far too much for granted.

When I leave work early to collect Elodie from school I take her out for dinner because being at the house without Aris is far too painful. There is barely any life there. The only warmth comes from Elodie and even she notices the difference without him.

"Daddy, I don't like seeing you sad." She pouts at me.

I force a smile. "I'm okay, baby."

"You're not," she shakes her head. "You're really, really sad. Because Aris isn't here."

"Yeah," I rasp and look down to the table. "I really don't like myself, Els. Not after what I did."

Elodie frowns. "Did you tell him you were sorry?"

I nod once. "I did. But he doesn't believe me."

"He's not coming back, is he?"

My gaze flick between my daughter's green eyes. "I'm sorry," I tell her sincerely. "I know how much you liked him, pumpkin."

"He was my best friend." She murmurs.

The pain between my eyes makes me squeeze them shut. "I know. He loves you very much, do you know that?"

Elodie nods at my words. "Yeah, I do."

"Good," I whisper and lean across the table to caress her soft cheek.

When we finish with dinner I drive past Declan's house and decide to stop. Anything to be away from the apartment because I don't want to be there drowning in my thoughts alone when Elodie goes to bed. It's a depressing space. It's not a home without him there.

I stand with Elodie in front of Declan's front door as I knock. After a few moments I'm met with Luca whose smile drops the second he sees me. Yeah, he's not my biggest fan. I'm not my biggest fan either. Join the club.

"Hi, Nick," he says before glancing down at Elodie. "Hey, sweetie."

Declan pulls back the door and creases his brows at me. "Nick, I didn't know you were coming over tonight."

"We just came back from town and I thought I'd pop in. I didn't realise Luca would be here. Sorry." I take a step back. "I'll see you another time."

Elodie steps forward to give her uncle a big hug before he picks her up and cuddles her into his chest. Declan lowers my daughter to the floor and tells her to go to the living room and put on a movie.

I glance at Luca who is staring me down. "Do you even realise what you had before you messed it up?" He says sharply, folding his arms over his chest. "Because you lost out on something incredible, on someone incredible."

"I know, Luca," I heave. "I know what I've lost and trust me, I hate myself more than you do."

He stares me down before narrowing his eyes. "You spurted all this crap at him about having no aspirations, or goals, that he has no idea what he's doing with his life."