Divergent High

Chapter 12

I add the last finishing touches to Rosie's birthday cake then I head to the bathroom to change.

I wear a simple dress and flats. I put my hair in a ponytail and apply simple make up.

It feels funny to be driving back into the town I grew up in and left behind. I miss it, but it's better if I stay away.

I park my car at the front of the house and carry the cake to the front door.

I ring the doorbell and a beautiful woman answers the door who I could never forget, Evelyn.

I'm almost in tears when I see her. I missed her so much, she was always such a mother figure to me.

"Oh tris. It's so good to see you" she says letting me in the house. I place the cake down and give her the biggest hug.

"Evelyn, how have you been" I say holding her arms as we speak.

"Good. I miss you, Lisa is nothing but a royal pain" she whispers the last part

"Well that's Tobias's for you" I say and we share a laugh until the queen herself ruins it for us.

"Honey, the cake has arrived" she yells to Tobias

She opens the cake and reveals the hard work I spent on it.

Tobias and Rosie come to the kitchen and Rosie can't help but jump up and down.

"It's beautiful" she says excitedly

"Anything for our princess" Lisa says opening her arms out for a hug but Rosie runs right past her and hugs me.

"Oh" I say with a small giggle and hug her back

"You are the best" Rosie says to me

"It's no problem sweetheart" I say gently to her

I reach into my bag and pull out a small wrapped box with a bow.

"It's not much but a little birdy named aunt Christina said you liked princesses." I say giving it to her

She rips open the box and shows the tiara I wore as a kid playing princess. My parents got it for me on a trip they went overseas. I loved that tiara.

"A princess tiara" Rosie screams with excitement.

"My mom and dad got this for me when I was younger. I thought it would look better on you" I tell her and she hugs me again. This time tighter.

"Thank you so much" she says crying and I can't help but smile at how cute Tobias's daughter is.

"Thank you" Tobias mouths to me as his daughter hugs me. I give him a small smile and look away.

"I'm going to go put this on" Rosie says running out of the room

"Do you give all your clients personal family trinkets or just the clients you had passed relationships with" Lisa says

"I was just trying to be nice. I didn't know it would be a bother" I say

"Honey, she did a nice thing for our daughter. Can you be happy about that" Tobias tells her

"Don't stick up for her, I'm your wife. Stick up for me" Lisa says and Tobias sighs

"I'm not-..." he starts to say but he's interrupted by a scream.

"Auntie Tris" Sophie says running to me and tackling me with a huge hug.

"I haven't seen you in so long. I missed you" she says starting to cry.

"Look how big you've gotten. You're so beautiful" I say with a smile as she cries with excitement. She's going to make me cry.

"What are you doing here? Are you staying for the party?" She asks with the biggest smile

"I was just dropping off the cake. I have to go back home now" I tell her gently

"Please don't go. Please stay" she says hugging me and I feel my tears.

"I'm sorry" I say unwrapping her arms from me and running out of the house.

"Tris" Tobias calls out but I can't. I can't be around the people I love any longer. They were my family for such a long time. He was my love.

"Tris wait" Tobias calls out, closing the front door behind him as he runs up to me.

He grabs my hand and turns me to him.

"I'm sorry. I just can't stand there in front of your family, in front of your freaking wife and your beautiful daughter and act like I don't want everything to go back to normal. I wish I never left you in Hawaii. I wish you didn't say the things you said. I wish that we were still together, I-..." I ramble and he brings me into a hug.

"I love you" he says

"Shut up" I whisper to him

"No I love you. I always will" he says

"You're married" I say pulling away from him

"Do we look very happy" he questions and I look down at the floor.

"That's the life you picked" I say

"It's not the life I want" he says

"Well too late for that. You have a daughter, you have to think about her" I say

"Come back" he says

"I can't. I have a business, I can't be here" I tell him

"Don't let me be the reason why you're not happy" he says

"Not being with you makes me unhappy. It will always be like that" I say and I let go of his hands.

"It was nice seeming you. Have a good party" I say walking away, leaving him on his front porch.

"Beatrice Prior" a voice says behind me

"What a pleasant surprise" the voice I know as Marcus says

I turn around and give him a friendly hug. He's standing with a little girl, about 5.

"It's so good to see you Mr. Eaton" I say

"This is our little girl Taylor. I don't think you two have met" he says and I smile

"I remember when you announced it at the wedding reception but besides that, I have no met her yet" I say and the little girl looks at me with a small smile

"Hi Taylor, I'm tris" I say and she says a sweet hello back.

"Please tell me you're staying for the party. I heard you were making a beautiful cake for Rosie" he says and I give him a small smile

"I'm actually heading home, but enjoy the party" I tell him

"Please don't go. We could use more of your happiness in this family" he says

"Unfortunately sir, I haven't been very happy these past few years" I say

"I ran into your parents the other night. They are worried about you, says you don't call much" he says and I look down and nod

"Like I said. These past few years haven't been my best" I tell him

"You're always welcomed at our home. If you ever need anything, we always got you" he says

"Now please. Spend a little happiness with us today" he adds and I finally give in.

"Fine" I say and walk with him back into the house.

I walk right past Tobias and take a seat next to Sophie, who gave me another hug as I walked back in.