Broken Strings

C H A P T E R T W E N T Y

And it would all be the same.

But that was what hurt her more than anything.

It would all be the same. Except for her. She just wouldn't happen to be around anymore. She just wouldn't be there to laugh and smile alongside her kids.

It wasn't fair.

It just wasn't fair.

There were so many things she still wanted to do. There were so many things she still had to do. But she just wanted to sleep.

She was tired, she was very tired.

She looked around for something to eat. She needed to eat. But there wasn't really any point in eating. She wasn't hungry and she would probably end up throwing-up everything she ate anyway.

She froze as the front door opened and then slammed shut. The kids were at school. Andrew probably dropped them off, considering the fact that she had slept in late, again.

But after that, Andrew was supposed to go to work. He was supposed to be at work, far away from her.

He wanted to talk. She knew that. But she didn't want to talk.

She just didn't want to deal with him right now.

An indescribable blush of sadness colored her as Andrew walked into the kitchen, placing his car keys on the counter. His eyes were set on her. And his gaze, it was intense but soft. She just couldn't look away.

She had loved him. She really had.

She had given him everything she had. She had given him everything she had to offer.

She stayed, she cared and she loved. All for him. All for them.

Anisha looked down and her eyes fell on the small bruise on her wrist. Maybe she should tell him the truth.

Andrew deserved to know.

Andrew needed to know.

This wasn't just about her anymore. This concerned him and their kids.

Perhaps, giving up would be easier once he knew. At least then she would know that he would be fine without her. At least then she would know that her kids would be fine without her.

"Why are you here?" Her voice held resolve. And bitterness. It wasn't fair. It just wasn't.

She had suffered and suffered.

And now? He wanted to try and mend things between them now?

Now that she had finally given up.

But deep down in her heart, she just couldn't find in her heart to hate him. Sure, he had ruined her. But she had let him.

She had let him.

Right now, she didn't want any anger. She just wanted to be happy. She wanted to enjoy. But she was tired.

Anisha Hayes had given up. And she just wanted to sleep.

"I live here. Why wouldn't I be here?" Andrew awkwardly leaned against the counter and looked at Anisha who was still dressed in her light pink stripped pajamas and a large t-shirt. The corners of his lips quirked upwards, slightly as he watched her roll her eyes and look away from him.

It wasn't a smile, it was just a slight upward quirk of the lips. The closest thing to smile that he had to offer.

Andrew Hayes rarely smiled.

He was a harsh man, cold and rude. And the last thing he needed to do was entertain people with his smile.

Besides, smiling wasn't easy for him. After everything life had put him through, how could he smile?