Crazy Stupid Love

Chapter 36: You're On Your Own

Rydel's PoV

Jordan offers to take me back to his place, but I insist on taking a walk on the beach. If this goes badly, I don't want to be trapped without a way home.
"Jordan, I need to tell you something," I say uncertainly as we walk along in the sand with fingers intertwined, our pant legs rolled up and bare feet ankle deep in the cool ocean.
"What is it, Rydel?" He asks softly.
This is the side of him that I fell in love with. My brothers think he is some big, stupid, abusive idiot who is the result of the worst decision I've made in my entire life. They haven't seen how sweet he is, or how caring he is, or the true beauty each one of his smiles holds.
I drop his hand as I stop walking; waiting for him to face me before I continue.
"I..." I trail off, all of the courage I had found deep within myself draining
"Rydel, what the hell is going on?" he snaps.
"I'm pregnant."
Shock forms on his face for a brief second before it is masked with a dark expression.
"Who's baby is it?" He asks.
"Who the hell do you think it belongs to?" I cry in disgust. "It's yours!"
"I want proof," he states.
"Do you really think I've gone around sleeping with other guys?" I scream.
"It wouldn't surprise me."
"I can't believe you said that!" I exclaim. "I actually thought what we had was real."
"Look, Babe. Things were great when you were a successful, sexy keyboard player who toured the world. Now you want commitment, which doesn't work for me, and I'm also not one for the big family setting. Plus, I can't have a second girl get this serious."
"You're cheating on me with someone?" I whisper, my weak voice refusing to go any louder.
"Actually, I'm cheating on someone with you. Don't take this personally, Rydel. It just wasn't meant to work out between us."
"What about the baby?" I murmur, tears welling in my eyes.
"You're on your own."
Without another word, he begins walking back to his car. There are so many things I want to say to him, but once again my voice fails me. I want to yell, to tell him I hate him. I would, but I would be lying. I want to tell him what we had meant nothing to me either. Another lie.
Jordan pulls open his vehicle door and climbs inside. Lights flare, and the engine is revved to life. He peels out of the curb, and I watch helplessly as the father of my child drives away for the last time.
I fall to my knees in the sand, tears streaming down my face. Sobs rack my chest as my body collapses under me, my weak frame no longer able to hold the weight of my shattered heart.
I love him, but he doesn't feel the same way. Now I've lost my boyfriend, my best friend, and the future we've all worked so hard for, and it's all because of this baby.

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Ross' PoV

Sunlight peaks through my blinds, the sharp rays of light drawing me from a restless sleep. My brain threatens to pound it's way though my head; a gross feeling carrying throughout my entire body. I roll over to cuddle up to Marriya, only to realize there is nothing but a cold, empty space beside me.
I'm slightly confused as to why I am waking up alone and hungover before the events of last night quickly come flooding back. Me drinking. Me yelling. Me hitting Marriya. Marriya crying, begging me to leave her alone. The unmistakable look of fear in her eyes when I came near her.
What have I done?
Carefully getting to my feet, I walk softly over to the my closet where I last remember seeing Marriya.
I cringe at the sight of the door broken in. What the hell did I do?
Forcing my way through the broken wood, I find her lying unconscious across the worn carpet floor, her hazel eyes puffy and swollen. Tear stains are evident on her cheeks, but nothing compares to the ghostly purple of the bruises near her eye and along her jaw bone. Her wrist is still marked from the mans firm grip; her shirt pushed up enough to reveal a small portion of her bruised hip. The one my eyes are continuously drawn to is the one marring her collarbone. That one is from me, and I don't think I will ever be able to forgive myself.
Crouching quietly beside her, I rest my hand on her arm. "Marriya?" I question softly.
After repeating this action a few times, she slowly stirs. Her tired eyes are dazed as she attempts to piece together why she is lying on the floor in my closet. The second her eyes meet mine, they glaze over in recognition before fear floods through them. She scrambles backwards, desperate to get away from me. Her head brushes along the bottom hems of my clothes, and she pushes through them, making any attempt she can to escape me. Hastily, she pulls down a few shirts and throws them at me. It's a weak attempt, but the gesture makes my heart sink into my stomach. She is that scared of me. I am truly a monster.
She presses her back into the corner and attempts to drag a rack full of my shoes in front of herself. The rack is far too heavy for her small body to move, but, as it is the only barrier she can possibly put between me and her, she tries anyway.
"Marriya," I ask softly.
A shriek escapes her lips as as I crouch down, getting on eye level with her. She presses back as far in the wall as she can, but she soon accepts the fact there is nowhere left for her to go.
"Baby, please," I attempt to reason, placing a foot tentatively in her direction. Tears stream down her face, falling faster as she begins to speak.
"Your eyes were black," she sobs. "You hurt me... your promised you would never hurt me... I was stupid... to ever trust you."
"I'm so sorry," I whisper, reaching my hand out tentatively in her direction.
"Don't!" she cries with all the strength she can muster. "Touch me!"
I feel my heart shatter within the confines of my chest as I look at the woman I love, who will do anything to get away from me. I fall to my knees, careful to keep my distance from Marriya.
Her breathing is wild as she processes the situation, calculating her route of escape. I want to tell her how sorry I am, but my voice has abandoned me.
Lunging forward, she pushes my body down. Using the my shoulder to propel herself, she jumps past me and sprints from the room. Seconds later, the front door slams shut.
I can feel the time passing, but I don't know how long I've been frozen in this position. All I know is I don't plan on moving. I made the biggest mistake I possibly could have, and now I have to live with the fact the girl I love wants nothing to do with me.

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Hey all you beautiful people ☺️ I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it, because I really did. Tell me in the comments, do you think Ross and Marriya are over?

This chapter's shout out goes to all of you. Every single person who is reading this right now. I'm talking to you. I hit 17K last Thursday, and I can't explain how happy that made me. I never imagined this story would get so many reads, and it's not close to ending yet. When I say I love you guys, I really mean it. So this one goes out to all my readers. To all my voters. Definitely to all my commenters because you guys are the real MVP's. But seriously guys, thank you all. 17000 is a huge number, and each one of you is part of the reason I got there. I will always be grateful, and I love you. Never forget that 😘

Stay beautiful
~ Hannah xxx