A/N: So a lot of you think Fay is being cruel to Paul, that wasn't my intention. Basically Fay is just a normal teenager who does make mistakes, she isn't perfect. So maybe getting herself involved with Joel was a mistake… or maybe it wasn't.

Either way she's young and doesn't always make the right choices so sorry if I made you all think she hated Paul and was falling for Joel. That wasn't the case at all.

Anyway a big THANK YOU to all my readers and reviewers. I appreciate the fact that you're still reading the story, my updates are slow I know. My life's just been busy lately and I apologize for that.

So I won't bore you any longer, here's the next chapter.

Cheers x

Chapter 10: The Imprint

Fay P.O.V

"Are you sure this will work?," voice number one asked.

"It better," voice number two added.

"Keep it down!," a voice that I was sure was Alex's hissed.

I was laying somewhere out in the open, my hands tied behind my back and my ankles tied together by a rope. I couldn't find it in me to open my eyes, afraid that they'd hurt me if they caught me watching them. My whole body was sore and weak. When I moved, the pain was unbearable in my arms that I ended up slitting my bottom lip from biting down on it so hard.

The blood tasted salty on my tongue and I was perfectly aware that Alexander and his gang would smell it. Luckily they never said or did anything.

Joel seemed to have disappeared. The last time I had seen him was in the old house. I wondered briefly whether he was up to something. And then I started to panic, picturing him in my house, taking Noah.

But then I remembered what he had said to me and relief washed over me.

They wouldn't be stupid enough to take Noah while Paul was still in La Push, that's why I was here on the muddy ground somewhere. So that Paul would come for me and so that they could capture him then take Noah.

How would they get past the rest of the pack though? Then again who knows what they're capable of.

"What took you so fucking long?," Alex spat.

"The Cullen's! That's what," Joel replied.

I shivered. A million thoughts flooded my mind. They had something planned, I just hoped it didn't consist of beating me up until I blacked out.

"The Cullen's?," the trio asked in unison.

"Yeah, they were hunting." Joel chuckled. "How messed up is that? Who are they kidding huh? They're vampires! Anyway I passed them by-."

Alex cut him off. "You passed them by? What the fuck Joel!."

"My mind was elsewhere you douche! Now shut it! I'm in charge here. How else would that beauty be lying there eh?."

"Pfft, we could've done it without you-."

"Oh yeah? Can you eat human food so that your eyes remain golden? Do you have the ability to disguise your scent as a 'human' scent? Are you as fast as me? No! So zip it!."

There was silence for a moment before Alex spoke. "What did they say?."

"The Cullen's were wondering who I was and what I was here for, so I lied. Told them I was here visiting my human relatives and took off. They saw my eyes so they didn't suspect anything."

So it was Joel who had sent me the gifts. And damn it, why didn't I ever think of vampires and their special abilities? His one was very useful to an evil group like theirs. That's the reason why he was able to wander around La Push without alerting the pack. He disguised his scent.

Which means if Paul leaves Noah with his parents or even with Emily while the rest of the pack are on guard, it won't be too hard for Joel to slip past them and take… no. I couldn't even think of it.

My heartbeat picked up and tears brimmed my eyes as my motherly instincts took over, telling me to go protect Noah but I couldn't.

It was impossible. I felt like the worst mother alive. Noah deserved better.

So did Paul. This was the whole reason I was his imprint, so I could have his children and carry on the gene. I was chosen as the perfect woman for him. The best woman to mother his babies. And now look. I've really let myself down.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered shakily to Paul and Noah. Although I knew they couldn't hear me.

A foot nudged my side so that I was laying on my back. I hissed with the tremors that shot up through my arm.

"What are you sorry for? Being an idiot?," Joel asked. I could tell he was standing next to me.

"Yes," I whispered back. A tear escaping my closed eye.

"Aw, well how about we let you and Paul have a moment together when he eventually finds you then we'll take him away. Better than nothing right?," he suggested with an evil chuckle.

I had to hand it to him though, he was definitely a good actor. Great actually. And such a horrible person.

"Joel hurry up!," Alex shouted.

Suddenly I was sitting upright with my back against the trunk of a tree, my hands tied together in front of me while my torso was tied to the tree by rope. My ankles were also still tied together. Which meant I was completely helpless.

And then unexpectedly, Joel's fist connected with my jaw and I cried out in pain.

Blood pooling in my mouth.

"Part of the plan babe, how else will Paul be able to sniff you out?."

"Come on Joel, we gotta move!," Alex said.

They disappeared then, leaving me beaten, bloody and cold.

My jaw throbbed with the blow Joel had given me, but I knew that thankfully it wasn't broken.

If only I had listened to Paul in the first place. He knew that Joel was up to no good. But I was stupid, I thought that he only felt like that because Joel was a vampire (half-breed but Paul didn't know that).

Leah must've known though, she must've known that Joel was a bad guy. I just couldn't believe that she could do something like this to me, especially since I was her pack members imprint. She really let herself down.

Then I thought of my parents and my brother. I loved them so much. They'd be so upset with me right now.

I don't blame Joel or Alex or anyone on this, I blame it on myself. There was one thing I was proud to say I wasn't and that was I was not selfish. I did this for my family, I thought I could say goodbye to Joel tonight. To end everything with him so that things could go back to normal.

But I guess I was wrong.

My eyes opened then and all I could see was trees. I was surrounded by them. Even if I wasn't tied up, I'd probably never find my way out of this forest. Not to mention it was pitch dark and I hadn't even got a torch light.

I looked down at my shirt and in the darkness I could make out the large blood stain on it. The blood continued to drop from chin, there wasn't much left in my mouth though.

Suddenly I heard movement to my right. I jerked my head up in the direction it came from but I couldn't see anything.

My heart beat picked up and every sore part of my body throbbed. What if it was them again?

It wasn't them though, because when the person appeared in front of me in a muddy white dress I almost fainted with shock.

"Leah?," I asked in disbelief.

She knelt down in front of me and I could tell her eyes were tearing up. "Oh my… oh Fay I'm so sorry."

A sob escaped my mouth. "How could you?."

"Fay I swear to you that I have nothing to do with this. I had no idea, I'm so sorry."

"Why didn't you tell the pack then? Why didn't you tell them it was Joel that saved me? why didn't you tell them about the gifts?."

She shook her head, a tear escaping her eye. "I was mad then… mad that you were upsetting Paul with all this Joel drama that I forced myself not to."

"How did you know it was Joel that saved me? and how did you know about the gifts?."

"I was there in the woods by the road but he didn't seem to notice me, he was so focused on saving you. I almost ran out to push you out of the way but he got there before me… then he just disappeared like all those vampires do. Funnily enough I couldn't pick up on his scent."

"And the gifts?."

"Yeah well." She began to tear apart the rope around my wrists. "I just guessed because I couldn't pick up any scent and you had no idea who sent them."

I groaned with the soreness of my wrists being released, they looked raw. "And-."

She cut me off. "Fay we've got to get going, we haven't got much time."

"You know?," I asked.

"Yeah," she replied. Removing the rope around my waist that attached me to the tree trunk. "The Cullen's approached me while I was passing through Forks."

Her eyes met mine, they looked… sheepish.

"What were you doing in Forks Leah?."

"I'll tell you later but-."

"Does Paul know?," I whispered.

She shook her head. "Not yet. Anyway come on, I've got to take you somewhere."

I screamed out in pain as she picked me up off the ground.

"I'm sorry." she said.

"It's okay," I squeaked. Squeezing my eyes shut, trying my best not to scream again. "W-Where are you taking me?."

"I can't tell you now."

"What? Why?," I gasped.

"Because there's leeches out here that shouldn't know."

I didn't ask any more questions after that, instead I leaned into Leah's chest, happy to feel safe after everything. Somehow I'd pay her back for saving me.

But first, I needed Paul. I needed to tell him everything. We needed to protect Noah.

The question was, would he even listen to me? I've let him down, kept secrets from him, pushed him away and now I'd be throwing myself at him full force. Begging for forgiveness, telling him how sorry I am and yearning for his love.

What if, right now he's so mad at me that he'll lose it when he finds out about everything. Didn't he have something planned for us tonight at his parents? And instead of going, instead of spending time with my family, I headed out into Port Angeles to meet up with a vampire. A vampire I should've stayed away from.

Bet Leah doesn't think too much of me now, not that she'd admit it at the moment. Then again maybe she would, and I wouldn't blame her.

I started this game, pulling the pack into it out of my own stupidity. What if one of them got hurt, then what? It'd be my fault.

There was no way I could put an end to this though, I was just a fragile human.

Maybe someday Paul would forgive me, maybe. After everything that's happened, I doubt that our imprint connection can make things better. But I'll feel bad about that some other time because now I had to focus on our baby, Noah.

With that last thought I passed out in Leah's arms.

My feet hurt from the hours of walking I had done. I was barely clothed, just a white oversized t-shirt that fell to my knees covered my nakedness.

I could make out my home- our home- in the near distance. A smile managed to cross my lips no matter how tired I was and I ran. I ran so fast it hurt. It was worth it though, my baby was there, so was Paul.

Sadly, I tripped over my two own feet, falling onto my face. It hurt, it hurt really bad but I wouldn't give up.

No I would suck it all up and carry on my journey. I was so close now. So very close.

"Fay?," the most beautiful masculine voice I had ever heard called.

I scrambled to my feet, turning to face him. "Paul."

He stood by a tree, clad in a pair of grey shorts, the forest dark and misty behind him..

A look of shock flashed across his face before it turned into disgust. "You need to leave."

"Wh…" I couldn't find my voice. How could he say such a thing?

He looked away from me. "Just leave."

My jaw dropped. "But… how can you say that?."

His dark eyes met mine, his expression suddenly bitter. "How? You're asking me how? Hah! How about I ask you how you abandoned me and our child to run off with some bloodsucker huh? What had he got that I didn't? oh right, everything."

"No it wasn't-."

He raised his hand up to silence me. "I know what he did to you but Fay, I won't ever take you back. I swear. You disgust me."

I fell to my knees, shock stricken. "Paul," I whispered. "He hurt me, all I was trying to do was keep you both safe."

Paul was suddenly before me, bending down so he could stare right into my face. "You're the last person who could keep me or Noah safe, and he hurt you? How? Did he break your heart? Wait… are you carrying his child now? Unbelievable."

"No! no we didn't… oh my…. Paul you have to understand-."

He cupped my cheek in his warm hand. "No matter how beaten up you are, both physically and mentally, it doesn't matter to me anymore. Goodbye Fay."

Before I knew it he was up and off, disappearing into the woods. Leaving me hurt, cold and heartbroken on the ground.

I had never known the imprint could be broken.

"Fay? Are you alright?," a voice asked.

My eyes opened a crack to find Bella Swan looking down at me.

"Bella?," I whispered.

"Bad dream?," she said.

I nodded, relief washing over me. it didn't last long though. Paul didn't know anything yet….

She bit her lip. "Well how about I get you cleaned up? Carlisle wants to have a look at you."

"Who's Carlisle?," I asked.

"Oh um, he's Edwards dad. He's a doctor."

I frowned. "But he's a vampire."

She chuckled. "Yeah, it's a long story but you'll be safe, don't worry."

Without asking any more questions, I allowed Bella to help me up off the bed I found myself lying on and into the bathroom.

Bella told me she'd wait outside by the door as I took a bath. So with all the strength I had, I washed my body down, squinting and gasping at times at the very sore parts.

My thighs were purple with bruises, my shins were scratched. Some cuts deeper than others but none that needed stitches. My sides and tummy had the odd bruise here and there, which I was thankful for as it could have been worse. My arms were a different story though. They were slashed, bruised, cut and scratched, dried blood everywhere.

I felt the need to cry but I wouldn't. I wouldn't cry over what they did to me. they didn't deserve my tears. The only people who deserved them were Noah and Paul… and my family of course. But those psycho leeches? Never. No matter how bad I hurt.

Avoiding looking in any mirrors at how bad my face looked, I slowly raised myself out of the bath and grabbed the towel Bella left for me, wrapping it around myself securely.

By accident though, I stared right into the mirror over the sink.

I gasped, clasping a hand over my mouth.

My left eye was half-closed, swollen and purple. My bottom lip was slit and bloodstained. My cheeks were scratched. And my nose was swollen. I looked like a freak show.

"Fay are you done in there?," Bella called from behind the door.

"Yeah," I called back, my voice cracking.

Within minutes I was back in the bedroom I had been in before. Bella had me seated on a chair as she combed my hair, careful not to hurt me as I had a rather large bump on the back of my head.

"Where's Leah?," I asked. Trying to distract myself from thoughts of how beaten up I looked and Paul.

"Oh Leah left as soon as she dropped you off here."

"Where did she go?."

"She uh… she had to tell the pack…"

I froze. "Where's the Cullen's?."

"They left, Carlisle and Jasper are here though." She stopped combing my hair a moment and sat down on the floor in front of me. "I'm sorry about everything, I know it's really hard on you Fay. I've been through a lot too. But on the bright side, Paul loves you… I know how strong the imprinting bond is."

Sucking in a breath, I replied. "If the bond was so strong then why have I gotten myself into this situation? What if the dream comes true? What if an imprint can be broken…"

Bella reached out, placing a hand over mine which lay limp on my knee. "That's impossible Fay. We all know you got yourself into this situation to protect your family, even if it was a mistake, you did it with a good heart."

"Joel was so good at drawing me in, not in a romantic way but in a friendly, trustful way. Paul told me to stay away but I didn't listen, now look."

"Fay none of this is your fault, vampires are like that. Their beauty and charm suck you in."

I looked Bella in the eye then. "Did you know Joel saved me? That day I was going to get knocked down?."

She nodded. "Leah told us everything."

"Paul doesn't even know that," I told her before throwing my face into my hands. Taking deep calming breaths.

"Why are you afraid of him finding out?," She asked. Placing her hand on my knee.

"He'll be angry… angry at Joel being there in the first place, angry at me not telling him, angry at Leah for being there and doing nothing, angry why that's the reason I went to see Joel tonight in the first place. I thought that if I took him up on his offer to meet him tonight, it would be the least I could do after he saved my life and that I could finally say goodbye."

"But it wasn't that easy."

I shook my head. "It just made things worse."

Bella took my hands in hers and pulled them away from my face as she looked deep into my eyes. "You're a strong person Fay, not every girl would have done what you did. It wasn't your fault that you got yourself into a bad situation so don't beat yourself up about it. I know I admire you for that."

"Really?." I smiled weakly. "Thank you."

She hugged me then. "Don't mention it. We better get down to Carlisle though."

Carlisle was everything I never expected in a vampire; he was sweet, friendly, approachable, intelligent and for a while I forgot he was a vampire. He had seemed so human to me, how he handled blood I'd never know but admired him for it.

He also told me that everything Bella had said to me in the bedroom- I found out it was Edwards- was true. That what happened wasn't to blamed on me. I had never felt so touched by a stranger before.

After a while of examining me, it turned out I was perfectly fine except for the deep cuts I needed cleaned. I was still gutted over my face though, I had never looked so awful. It was horrible.

Jasper remained almost silent throughout the hour, except for the time he introduced himself to me.

Bella explained he had the power to calm people down, which I knew he used on me and was very grateful for.

"So I know the dress probably isn't your style, you can blame it on Alice," Bella joked as we sat on the sofa in the ever so modern living room.

I waved it off. "It's the thought that counts."

She had given me a dress, cream in color. It was probably a little too pretty for me at the moment: knee length; strapless; Frilly at the bottom. Bella had said that the less clothing I put on, the less I'd hurt my body.

Either way, I was grateful.

"Wolf pack," Jasper whispered.

Before Bella or I could ask him what he meant, someone started banging on the front door.

My heart rate accelerated as Bella spoke to me. "It's them… Paul… do you want to go upstairs or stay here?."

"I'll stay here," I said. Figuring that was probably my best option, no matter how terrified I was.

"Ready?," Jasper asked me as he suddenly appeared by the front door.

I nodded in response as Bella squeezed my hand in reassurance.

Jasper pulled the door open just as Carlisle entered the living room.

"Where is she?," I heard Jacob ask breathlessly.

"Fay!," Jared's voice boomed.

I shot Bella a worried look.

"They're just worried," she whispered.

Jared, Jacob and Seth entered the living room then. Their faces immediately turning pale the instant they saw my face.

"Fay? Are you okay?," Jared asked softly as he moved closer to me.

Jacob and Seth stood behind him, frozen in place. They looked… shocked. Shocked like I'd never seen before.

I nodded. "Yeah… I guess."

He knelt down in front of me. "We're going to take you home now okay?."

It felt weird that Jared was talking to me like that. I felt like a child again, over in my cousins house, wanting to go home and crying. My uncle telling me softly that he'd take me home, afraid that my cries would get worse.

"Does Paul know?," I found myself asking.

"Um…" he diverted his gaze to the floor. "Not yet."

"Why didn't you tell him?," Jasper asked suddenly. Sitting next to Bella.

Jacob glared at him, obviously over his 'shocked state'. "It's none of your business! And don't you dare try to use that magic of yours on me!."

Jasper chuckled. "Wasn't planning to."

"Jacob not now," Jared hissed over his shoulder before turning to me again. "We wanted to find out what happened and whether or not we could track down those vampires before telling Paul. Most of the Cullen's have gone on a search for them along with Sam, Quil, Leah and Embry. Leah told us what happened so just relax."

"When do you plan on telling him?," I asked.

"Collin and Brady are going to make sure Paul isn't home when you arrive, Emily will look after Noah for a while. Then when the rest of the pack get back, we'll all tell him at the same time. Keep him calm you know? Sound good?."

I nodded in response, taking it all in.

Bella helped me up before pulling me into a hug.

"Everything's going to be a fine, call me if you want to talk okay."

"Thanks Bella, thank you so much."

"That's what friends are for."

Next up were Jasper and Carlisle. I didn't know how much to thank them, especially Carlisle. I'd never forget how much they helped me.

Ten minutes later and I was in the passenger seat of Jacob's Rabbit, my body shivering with the cold.

I missed Paul's warmth… I missed everything about him.

No one said anything during the ride and I couldn't help but notice Seth shooting me glances every now and then. He looked freaked out to say the least. Even with him sitting in the back, I could feel his eyes on me.

When we pulled up outside my house, Jacob offered to take me inside.

"You sure you're going to be okay on your own?," he asked as we entered the hall.

I shrugged. "I have to look after myself."

He rested a hand on my shoulder. "I'm so sorry Fay."

I smiled weakly. "Thanks Jake."

"Come here," he said. Wrapping me up in his signature bear hug. "I was so worried about you, you have no idea."

"It was awful," I whispered.

"I know. Those filthy bloodsuckers! We'll get them Fay, I promise."

I nodded into his chest. "I believe you."

"Noah is safe in case you were wondering, we're all on guard."

My poor baby, what did he do to deserve this? Nothing.

"Well I better get going," Jake told me, breaking our hug. "We need to talk to Paul."

"Of course, be careful out there okay. Oh and Jake, that vampire, the one who got me into this, he's half human… he's in charge and he can disguise his scent so be careful"

He smiled. "Great info, I will, see you soon and call Emily if you need anything."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Bye," he said before running out the front door.

I shut the door behind him before making it upstairs to the bedroom. All the lights were on in the house, I could even smell Paul's muskiness as though he had only been here a minute ago. I glanced up at the clock in the hall.

It was four in the morning.

The bedroom door was shut, a fancy chain hung from the handle with a tiny pink cushion attached to it that read 'Do not disturb' . I smiled to myself, remembering when Kim had given it to me when Paul and I had married.

Taking a deep breath, I pulled down the handle and walked into the bedroom. It looked exactly the same as it did yesterday, except for a white towel discarded on the floor near the end of the bed.

Typical of Paul.

Then suddenly I remembered what it felt like to be in this bedroom, without anything but happiness, joy and love on my mind.

I missed that so much.

I headed over to the bed and crawled in, laying my head down on Paul's pillow. It smelled just like him, so masculine, so alluring, so Paul.

That was what I needed, his scent. It somehow calmed me, made me relax, had me falling into a peaceful slumber...

A sudden slamming of the front door downstairs woke me up, I remained still, quite aware of the fact that it had to be Paul.

I heard him make his way up the stairs before I heard the floorboards creaking beneath his feet as he made his way closer to the bedroom.

On instinct, my hand flew up to the side of my face that wasn't pressed against the pillow. I suddenly didn't want Paul to see how I looked.

Even though my eyes were closed, I could tell he was standing by the doorway. Terrified of what he would say to me, I curled into myself a little more, biting down on my swollen bottom lip. I had never been this nervous in my life.

The floorboards creaked again as I felt him make his way over to the side of the bed I was laying. I could feel him next to me, his heat radiating onto me, his scent so unbelievably strong now.

He placed one of his warm hands over the hand I held over the side of my face. I bit my lip again, muffling a sigh that escaped my lips at the feel of his touch. God, how much I missed him.

His fingers pushed in between mine and before I realized what he was doing, my hand was back down at my side.

"No," I whispered. Burying my face into the pillow.

I wasn't ready for him to see me.

"Fay, let me see," he said. His voice more strained than it ever was.

I shook my head, once again feeling like a child. Only this time I was making myself feel like one.

Next of all he pulled the sheet down over my body. His index finger running down over the slash on my arm.

I shivered in response.

He whispered something in Quileute before I felt his wet lips on my arm, kissing every cut I had. They moved slowly but lovingly and I yearned for it to be my lips he was kissing, not my arm.

The feeling didn't last long though, because he started looking over the rest of my body. I thought I heard him growl when his fingertips grazed my thighs. They were unrecognizable, just purple and terribly sore.

"Fay, please turn around. I need to see you." He begged.

So instead of hiding myself any longer, I decided to do as he wanted. What was I waiting for anyway.

I rolled onto my back and met his eyes.

They seemed more darker and glossier than normal as he took my appearance in, took in the state I was in.

This was the worst part for me, I wasn't an attention seeker. I hated when people would watch me for no reason, it had always made me uncomfortable. But now, everyone had something to look at. It was awful.

He cupped my cheek in his warm hand and it reminded me of the dream I had had earlier. But that ended badly… would Paul in real life end it badly too? He must be so mad at me.

"I thought you trusted me," he said. A tear falling from his eye onto the mattress.

"I've always trusted you," I replied.

Looking into his eyes made me feel special, no matter how angry, upset or disgusted he was with me, it was always there, that look that said I meant the world to him. Not to mention he looked so beautiful tonight.

His hair had grown a little longer; his shirtless body seemed to have grown stronger, his abs seemed more defined; his face had a mournful look about it that made him look younger and softer somehow.

Although it had only been half a day that I hadn't seen him, it felt like I hadn't seen him for years. Just shows me how oblivious I had been to the most important people around me because my mind was occupied with other, unimportant things.

"You're wrong Fay, you thought that if you told me everything I'd freak out, lose myself. That doesn't count as trusting me."

"But I only did it to protect you Paul."

"And you think that I wanted you to risk your life for me?."

I took a deep breath. "No."

"But you still did it Fay, you kept things from me, left me in the dark," he said. Sounding very disappointed.

"I'm sorry Paul, I love you."

"It's not enough anymore. You nearly got yourself killed, and my blood is sizzling beneath my skin because I want to tear those filthy bloodsuckers apart for doing this to you. I want to scream, I want to lose it, I really really want to phase but I won't because I can control myself around you."

"I don't know what to say… I love you so much, I didn't know… I didn't know that you'd remain calm… I'm so sorry," I squeaked. Tears blurring my vision.

"You always say that though, you always tell me you love me but you still hide things from me. I mean I can expect that from Leah… I'm disgusted with her but you, my wife, my everything. Why? I treat you the way you should be treated but you treat me differently."

I leaned up, holding his face in my hands. "Paul stop please, you're the only man I care about, you're the only one I see, you're breaking my heart talking like that."

"You've already broken my heart Fay."

I gasped, my hands falling to my sides as I took his words in.

"That's not true," I said in disbelief.

"It is," he whispered. "You'll never know how bad you hurt me when I found out what happened tonight."

"But Paul I didn't do anything! It wasn't my fault what happened."

"You're right it wasn't, what was your fault was keeping everything that lead up to this from me, what ever happened to the days where you were honest with me huh? Do you remember those days or have you forgotten?."

"Of course I do! You know what? When I was getting beaten, you know what I was thinking about? You know what helped take the pain away? That one night on our honeymoon, do you remember it?."

"That night will always mean something to me Fay, you know why? Because you trusted me then."

"Paul I still trust you! You imprinted on me, how could I not?."

"That's exactly it, I imprinted on you, you didn't imprint on me, I can see now that imprints don't feel the same way about their wolf as their wolf feels about them."

"What are you trying to say?."

"What I'm trying to say is, I'll always love you more in every way." He paused, looking me straight in the eye. "I love you, so so very much, from the day that I first laid eyes on you I've loved you and that love just grew stronger and stronger with each and every day. You're my wife now, the mother of my child, but you broke my heart."

I was sobbing by the time he finished his speech. On instinct, I threw my arms around his neck and buried my face in his strong chest.

"I'm crazy about you." I said against him.

"Fay… I have to go."

I pressed myself closer to him, although it hurt. "No, please."

"There's things I need to take care of."

"I love you more than anyone, I love you and Noah equally," I told him. The tears pooling on his chest.

"Don't bring Noah into this," he said firmly.

I pulled away from him. "Noah is ours."

"Yes, so don't bring him into our problems."

"Stay and we can talk some more, sort this all out."

"Fay!." He stared hard at me. "There's no such thing as sorting out a broken heart, now I have to go."

I wiped my eyes with the backs of my hands, hissing with the pain of my swollen one.

"When will you be back?," I asked. Staring up at him.

"In a while," he told me, retreating from the bed.

"I'll wait up."

He paused as he reached the doorway, looking over his shoulder at me. "Don't bother, things have changed between us."

Before I had the chance to say anything, he left.

Everything we had was gone.

And it was all my fault.