Chapter 9: Can't or Won't
Karone's wound had healed on her back, but her heart still needed mending. She wanted Leo, but she chose to stay with Zhane because of the twins.
One day, Karone was playing in the park with the kids when Leo came up. "LEO!" The kids shouted. Karone picked up the ball they were playing with and watched as the children trampled over Leo. Karone bit her lip and she set the ball down on the table, watching as Leo played with the children for a little while before sending them with their parents. He stood up from the ground and he walked over to Karone.
"We need to talk," he informed.
"I don't think that's a good idea."
Karone went to walk away when Leo grabbed her arm. "Karone…" he started.
"Leo! This can't happen," she answered.
She pulled her arm from his grasp. "You lied to me," he told her. She pulled her hair back.
"How did I lie to you?" She asked.
"You told me you accepted Zhane's proposal."
Karone shook her head and she started to walk away. "WHY DID YOU LIE TO ME!?" He shouted. Karone stopped when she was halfway out of the park. "Why?" He repeated. Karone swallowed the lump in her throat.
"I can't love you," she replied.
"You can't love me or you won't?"
"I can't."
She started walking away again when Leo ran after her and he grabbed her arm. "Karone, please," he insisted. Karone pulled her hand from his grasp.
"It's over, Leo," she answered.
"I'm not going to let you go."
"But you have to."
"You don't love him."
"I had two kids with him."
"What was all that bullshit you told me huh? All that shit about you used to loving him and then you don't!"
Karone closed her eyes. "Leo, just let me go, please," she murmured. She then walked down the hill and towards her house. Leo stood there and watched her go.
(Karone's Quarters)
Karone was laying on her bed, drawing circles on the blanket with her finger. She closed her eyes and she let out a sigh. "What do I do now?" She murmured. She hated herself for leading Leo on like she did. She hated the fact that she cheated on Zhane. She buried her head into her pillow and she cried.
(Three Days Later)
Leo was walking around when he saw Maya. "Hey, Maya, have you seen Karone?" He asked.
"She left for Earth yesterday," she replied.
"What?"
"She wanted to see her kids."
"Did she say when she'll be back?"
"No."
Maya walked away afterwards.
(Earth)
Karone smiled when Gwen pulled on her shirt. "You two are getting so big," she cooed. Gwen gurgled and she started bouncing. "Zhane, you've done a great job," she commented.
"Yeah, well, Ashley's helped," Zhane answered.
"Well our babies are alive at least."
"Hey, I've been a good dad to these twins."
"And I'm very thankful."
Zhane went to kiss her when she turned her head away. "What?" He asked. She shook her head. "Okay, you've been acting funny since you got home," he commented. Zhane held onto Nolan.
"Sorry, Zhane, it's been a rough couple of days," she answered.
"Want to talk about it?"
"No, no that's okay."
She sighed and she looked down at Gwen. "Is there someone else?" Zhane asked.
"No, no of course not," she lied.
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
Zhane smiled and he kissed her cheek.
(Two Weeks Later)
Leo was working on a few things when he heard the door open. He looked up and Karone came in. "Well, surprised to see you back," he commented. Karone sighed.
"I won't let my team down," she answered.
Leo stood up and he grabbed Karone's arms. Karone kept her head lowered. "Karone…" he started.
"Leo…don't okay…just don't," she answered.
She walked out of his grasp and she went back to work.
