There's A Fine Line Between Love And Hate

Chapter 4

Connor was beyond furious. The only person he ever loved belonged to someone else. The thought of his baby girl calling another guy daddy made him see red.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"If it's Nina, go away!" He shouted

"It's your gramma."

Connor immediately opened the door and was greeted with an embrace from his grandmother Maxine.

"Oh sweet pea, I heard the commotion, what's going on?"

"Nothing, everything's fine gramma."

"Now don't you lie to me, I can see right through you Riley." Maxine said. She was the only person who called him by his middle name.

Finally Connor broke down.

"I love her so much gram, but she hurt me, she tore me apart."

"Hmmm it hurts doesn't it, knowing that the person you love, is about to love someone else. Doesn't it remind you of someone?"

"I don't kno--"

Then Connor finally realized that he had hurt Nina more than she hurt him. All the things that he put her through, he never really took into consideration until now.

"I see your point gramma"

"Now you're a smart boy, go downstairs and listen to what she has to say, and if I hear any yelling I will slap you myself. Understood?"

Connor rolled his eyes, his gramma can be dramatic.

Suddenly Connor received a smack to the head.

"Owwww! What was that for!"

"Never roll your eyes at me! Now get downstairs!"

Connor ran downstairs to avoid anymore injury.

He looked high and low for Nina, but there was no sign of her. He checked in his room but only saw his daughter fast asleep on his bed. He quietly closed the door and continued on.

"Where could she be?! He whispered to himself

When he finally went outside, he saw her sitting by the pond crying.

"Nina!"

He ran towards her and sat down.

"Look Connor if you're gonna yell at me again--"

"No no, I'm not. I just came to apologize, I'm sorry for how I acted."

"I understand, I deserve it."

"No you don't, look....I'm still hurt by your engagement but I put you through so much hell already. I guess you deserve to be with someone who isn't as selfish as I am."

Nina laughed.

"You're actually admitting that you are. Finally......but Connor this whole engagement, it's not real."

Connor stood there in amazement.

"Huh"

"Connor, I'm forced to be engaged, to protect Lily."

"WHAT!"

"Could shut the fuck up and listen!!"

Connor instantly became quiet.

"A few months ago Lily and I were shopping for a gift for her friends birthday, then while crossing the road a car came speeding and almost hit us."

Suddenly Nina began to sob heavily.

Connor took her hand and kissed it.

"It's okay just take your time baby."

"A man had saved us and that same day he asked me out to dinner. It was great for a while until he began h-hurting m-me.

I tried to end it but he......."

"He what!!" Connor said trying to stay calm.

"He went into Lily's bedroom and pointed a gun to her head while she was asleep."

That was the breaking point for Connor. He got up and ran back into the house breaking everything in sight. All the vases, pictures even the televisions were in ruins.

"Connor please...calm down."

"CALM DOWN! A FUCKING MANIC TRIED TO KILL MY BABY AND YOU WANT ME TO CALM THE FUCK DOWN!"

"I know, that's why I brought her here. He doesn't know about you or the fact that I left. Baby I can't go back...I can't. I need to protect Lily."

Connor embraced Nina and kissed her hair as she cried in his chest.

"Baby look at me." Connor said

"You and Lilian are staying in Ireland okay! You're never going back there again. I'll bring your family up here to visit, but you're not going back!"

Nina looked into his eyes and nodded

"Don't worry, I'll have people find out where he is, and I'll kill him if I have to."

"Baby---"

"No excuses Nina, nobody and I mean NOBODY would dare put a hand on you and my daughter!"

"I'm so sorry baby, I wanted to tell you before but--"

Connor kissed her passionately.

"I love you so much. And I'll do everything in my power to keep you and Lilian safe."