The Ghosts Of Her Past (A Completed, Steamy Romantic Mystery)

Part Sixty Three

Blaine sounded better on the phone last night. I'm excited he will finally be here tonight and, hopefully, we won't have to spend much time apart from now on.  I sent my letter of resignation yesterday and they already have someone covering me.  I was a bit bummed when they said they didn't need any notice because someone they liked was already covering for me. 

All the furniture was delivered yesterday, and today I'm just putting on the final touches.  I went to the grocery and filled up the refrigerator and pantry while, of course, Eli was here to carry all the bags.  He has been spoiling me ever since I returned.  He has the time, since he and MY friend are on a break again.  I swear, my brother can be such an idiot sometimes. They broke up over which coffee brand was better. Actually, they're both idiots. 

I got Will's room ready for him, but I don't have one television, and I figured that won't fly with a nine-year-old, so I gave Eli my credit card and told him to go pick one up. He won't be back for a while because he is taking his truck for an oil change and running a few more errands. 

There was a knock on the door, and I knew it wasn't Eli, so I took a peek and groaned.  Two of Blaine's security men were standing next to, none other than, the unfortunate father of my baby.

"He's fine guys."

"Are you sure ma'am?" One asked.

"Yeah, you can go back to...whatever it is you do."

What do they do all day?

"What are you doing here?  I didn't think you were coming home for a few more days." It's obvious I'm not thrilled to see him.

"We need to talk, Cora.  I can't stand the way we left things, and I can't tell you how sorry I am.  I'm about to be a father, and its time to grow up." He said.

I walked toward the couch and sat down.

"I'm glad to hear that. What you did was unforgivable, but you're still this baby's father, and I think we need to come to an understanding," I said as he sat down next to me. 

"There's a chair over there." I pointed.

"No, I need you to see how sorry I am.  I haven't slept or ate since that phone call.  I know what happened was the ultimate betrayal, but I will never do it again." He said.

I tilted my head.  "How can it happen again?  I'm running out of friends Gray, and it's not the act that upset me, its the lies.  How am I supposed to raise a baby with you, when I can't trust you?"

"I know I need to do a lot to prove I can be a good dad to this baby.  I can't do that overnight, but at least you can see I'm making an effort." He said.

"How?  Because you showed up here?" I asked.

He shook his head.  "I need help, Cora.  I have a problem, and I'm seeing someone that can help me.  He's an addiction counselor, that's why I came early. I can't ask for your trust when I can't even trust myself. I love you, there is no doubt there, but I did things during our relationship I'm not proud of. I know you love me, too.  Otherwise, we wouldn't have created this life inside you." He said.

"Gray, I'm proud of you, don't get me wrong, but it's not me you need to change for, its this baby.  I'm not in love with you, the sex we had was wrong. It was easy with you when I felt the need and that was wrong." I said.

"You're saying you used me?" He said in a sad tone.

I shrugged.  "We had fun, but that's over. I'm in love with someone else and our time is over."

He stood and paced. 

"You're fucking him?"

"We already covered this, Gray."

He shook his head.  "No, not while you're carrying my baby." He continued to pace.

"I'm moving to New York with him."

His pacing came to a halt and he turned his head to look at me. 

"After everything I've done to make sure we would be together, you're running away with him?  A billionaire with one divorce under his belt.  You think you're going to raise my child with that man?" He is yelling.

"What are you talking about?" I stood, but he grabbed my wrist and twisted it. 

"You're hurting me!"

"I'm hurting you?  Do you have any clue what I had to do to put that fucking kid in you?"

I heard the door burst open and Eli came into sight.  "Get your hand off my sister!"

Gray reached behind him and held a knife to my throat.  "Get back, Eli." He said.

"I saw the texts, I know everything," Eli said.  "Just put down the knife and let Cora go."

"She's carrying my baby, and if you think I'll let her run off and marry another man, you're crazy." He said.

"You blackmailed and raped Lisa. I saw the arguments and threats.  That's why she wanted Cora to take the job here, to get away from you." Eli said.

"I had the upper hand.  Her kid was sick and that couple needed her to sign off on the treatment forms.  That's when I found out she wasn't who she said she was, and I threatened to tell Cora. I was afraid she meant her harm, then it all got out of control.  She said she would help me get Cora back if I didn't tell anyone her secret.  She was close enough to know Cora's cycle, then brought her out to that club that night, but she double-crossed me.  She knew some big wig in New York that arranged for Cora to get the job in Cincinnati.  She was going to skip town and take off with that kid of hers, so I made a deal with that crazy lady that watched over her kid."

I started to cry as the knife pierced my skin.  I can feel my blood as is ran down my neck.

"She tried to get a confession out of me on camera, but I was on to her, so I gave her what she deserved. I fucked her so hard she couldn't walk the next day.  I betrayed Cora, and it was all her fault. The fucking bitch died, which blew everything.  Her cover was blown, Cora moved, and now Cora's fucking that asshole from New York.  Savannah was waiting for word from me to take off with the kid, but Lisa wasn't aware we were in it together.  I told her I'd kill that kid of hers if she didn't disappear, instead, she died and fucked everything up."