Tangled Love

CHAPTER 74

"She's been like this ever since we got back." Ivory whispered to Jake, glancing at me worryingly. Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

"What happened at the store?" Jake replied, frowning. Ivory shrugged, looking clueless.

"She spoke to her Mum for a while but I don't know what it was about." Ivory murmured. Jake nodded in response before closing over his door, giving me some privacy.

I was lying in bed, facing the wall.

My body felt numb, completely oblivious to the world around me. My mind was blank, my emotions had disappeared. I was a prisoner to my own thoughts and it was exhausting. The ache in my stomach had completely taken over my whole body, seeping its way in my heart.

I felt the mattress dip slightly as Jake sat down, placing a hand on my arm.

"Muffin?" he asked quietly.

I remained silent but a single tear slid out of my eye and down my cheek. There was a few moments of silence before I finally replied -

"He's not my dad." I said quietly barely believing my own words. My chest felt like it was being crushed by an invisible force.

"Who isn't?" Jake asked, confused.

"My dad, wasn't my real dad," I repeat, my vision blurring with tears. I don’t want it to be true.

I feel strong arms wrap around my body and he pulls me tightly into him. I feel my body shake uncontrollably at his affection, the tears falling fast and hard.

"Please let this be a nightmare." I whisper quietly as I wrap my own arms around my shaking form.

"Emily, it doesn't matter who your biological father is. The main that raised you, he's your Dad, he always will be." Jake says firmly. I pause, realising Jake is right.

Anyone can be a sperm donor but it takes a father to be a real father, right?

The man who raised me for years is my father. The man who cooked me my favourite lunch of spaghetti and meatballs everyday for a week because I refused to eat anything else is my father. The man who held me close and wiped away my tears when I was bullied in school is my father. . . He always will be.

"He's still my dad." I said out loud, repeating my thoughts. Jake nods, his thumb drawing circles on the back of my hand.

"He sure is."

I turned towards him, only just noticing the sadness in his eyes. He smiles at me tightly before looking away, pain flashing through his eyes.

"Jake, are you okay?" I whisper and he nods, his jaw clenching a little. I lean forward and kiss his jaw tenderly, knowing he’s probably thinking of his own father.

Jake shields himself with a barrier to protect himself from being hurt. We're so alike in so many ways. I've only seen his vulnerable side once or twice, when his barriers almost threatened to come crashing down.

"Would you like to talk about it?" I offer quietly. Jake shakes his head and I nod, squeezing his hand for reassurance. He gives me a small smile, grateful for not pushing the subject. Whenever he needs me in the future, I'll be there to repay the favour.

"I love you," I whisper. Jake smiles at me before leaning down. Just before our lips meet, he strokes my cheek with his thumb - "I love you more Muffin."