Chapter 3

2 months later

"I'm here to see Emma Robin, not you." Patrick sat down in Robin's apartment and avoided her as much as possible. He knew that Robin's place was under constant surveillance so he had to act cold and distant to her for hers and Emma's safety.

"She's packing her bag so I thought it might be a good time for us to finally talk about what is going on. We haven't actually spoken in almost three months." Robin's frustration with him had reached a boiling point.

"Take a hint Robin." Patrick crossed his arms and leaned back on the couch and purposely avoided looking at Robin. He could say the words but he couldn't say them to her face, it just wasn't possible.

"I just don't understand what happened. After everything, how can you just give up on us, on our family? It doesn't make any sense."

Patrick looked around and made sure Emma couldn't hear him. "Because I am doing what I should have done years ago. I am not built to be a husband; I'm surprised I can be a father. I tried to pretend I could do it, that I could be the man you deserve, but I'm not him. It was all an illusion that I created and I tried to make it more than it was because I thought you were dead. The truth is that your return proved how little I deserve you."

Robin shook her head, looking at him like he was crazy. "You are not making any sense."

"I took less than two years to get over you. Hell, it was less than that really. Less than two years and I was already marrying someone else. You deserve better than that." Patrick was lying, he had never gotten over Robin and he never would. When he proposed to Sabrina it was only because everyone was telling him to move on – not because he was in love with her.

Robin's eyes filled with tears. "So what are you saying, that you never really loved me?"

"I loved you the best I could but it really wasn't good enough. I will never be in love with anyone else but I am an inherently selfish man. I tried to hide it for years but when I got this offer I realized that I put myself after you and your career and I am tired of it. Living in your shadow is killing me."

"I don't believe you." Robin was staring out the window, trying to hide her tears.

"It's true. Now do us both a favor and sign the papers so we can end this and get on with our lives."

Robin took a deep breath and turned around. She walked over to the couch and sat down next to Patrick. "No. There is something else going on and you need to tell me what it is."

Patrick thought about it for a moment. "You know what Robin, you're right. There is something else. Actually, there's someone else or should I say several someone else's. Once I realized we were over I started taking advantage of my new surroundings and freedom. I forgot how much I loved playing the field."

The look on her face about killed him. He knew Victor expected him to come back with signed divorce papers and this was a last resort. "Just make sure your new bed buddies know that you were with an HIV positive woman for years and keep them away from my daughter."

Robin stood up and crossed the room, going to her desk. She pulled out the divorce papers and signed them furiously, practically throwing them at him when she was done. She quickly cleaned up her tears and put on a smile when, a few minutes later, Emma came out with her overnight bag. "Ready daddy?"

Patrick put the papers in his jacket pocket and smiled at his daughter. "You bet."

Emma gave Robin a kiss and hug. "Love you mommy!"

"I love you too baby girl. Be good for daddy." Emma nodded and ran to the door, Patrick following her.

Unable to resist, Patrick took one last look at Robin. "Good night Robin."

Robin just nodded at him. She walked over to the window and waited until she saw them get into a cab before she finally allowed herself to give in to the pain she was feeling and fell to the floor sobbing.