Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 52: I Care

It goes silent again as we look at each other.

"Can I come in?" He asks softly.

I shrug slightly, look away and move to the side. He steps in and I close the door.

"Not with the blonde woman today?" I ask, folding my arms.

He looks at me upset.

"Hayley will be picking me up soon, so we can't be long." I say walking past him.

He follows me in to the kitchen.

"Hayley actually came to me... she told me you'd be on your own today, so I've come to see you."

"Ok." I sigh. "Why?"

"I want to apologise. I... i said some things I didn't mean... I shouldn't have been like that with you."

I don't say anything and shake my head.

"And the blonde woman?"

"I regret that. I was stupid, and had a lot to drink."

I roll my eyes.

"It don't matter to me anyway, it's not like we were ever together. You're a single man. You can do what you want."

"It does matter. I upset you." He moves closer to me. "That's the last thing I wanted to do..."

I look down, holding back my tears.

"How have you been?" He asks, gently tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.

His touch makes me shiver. I look up at him as a tear rolls down my face and scoff.

"I've been amazing, thanks for asking."

"Sorry..." He shakes his head.

"I mean, why wouldn't I be fine? My life with my husband is great, and he doesn't beat me remember? I just play the victim and lied about everything."

Michael pulls a face.

"Layla, I didn't mean any of that. I swear. I was just upset and.."

"And drunk? And off your face with drugs?"

He sighs and runs his hand through his hair.

"I'm also carrying a baby that isn't my husband's, and the real father doesn't want anything to do with it. So yeah, I'm great."

Michael looks down, placing his hands on his hips.

"You didn't get an abortion?"

"No." I scoff. "One of us has to take responsibility. I'm not killing him or her, just because you're not ready."

"No, I wouldn't have wanted you to. I was worried what I said might have made you want an abortion. I'm glad you didn't."

"Really?"

"Yes." He nods.

"But you were so adament that you didn't want to be a dad again. You were upset when I told you."

"I wasn't thinking straight, and i guess i was scared for a second. I told you I didn't mean anything i said. As soon as I said them things I regretted it. After I had time to think, and I just felt like shit. I was in a bad place..."

I sigh and sit down. We go quiet.

"I can't believe you actually thought I wanted to fire you." I shake my head. "After everything Michael?"

"I know... I haven't been myself..."

"And after i told you how Marcus is? That he's a horrible, abusive, manipulating man, you believed I told him everything and purposely fired you?"