Chapter 15
As planned, Jacob got the job. He fit in great with everyone at work. Fox tried to play best friend with him, occassionaly-mentioning Theresa. Jacob just didn't realize that Fox might have a thing for his wife. As much as he didn't want to admit it, Jacob was a loyal friend.
At work Theresa often called to check up on Jacob but Fox never told him, he didn't want them to get closer then they already were. And if he asked him whether Theresa had called him or not, Fox would lie and say no one had called.
Theresa was very unhappy that Jacob had gotten this particular job. She kept getting her feelings mixed up, Fox was now looking better then ever, but she couldn't have him. She loved Jacob, but not as much, partly she had married him because she assumed that it would help ease the pain and make her forget about Fox. Jacob was a wonderful man, he did everything he could to please Theresa. Though she knew she wasn't worthy of his love. She hadn't told him that Fox was her ex-husband.
Actually Jacob reminded Theresa of Fox, maybe that was one of the reasons she had chose him, because at least it would seem like he would always be there, guiding her.
Though now it seemed like Fox didn't even care about her anymore, he never mentioned anything from the past, and he was always looking happy. Maybe he had really gotten over her. But she just didn't know it was all an act.
There were times when Fox called or went to their house. But on the phone, he always stalled or made excuses so he could hear Theresa's voice just a little longer. Jacob was their way of communicating, without him, they wouldn't even know how to exchange one word.
_______________________________
One night, Fox really wanted to see Theresa, but Jacob was there. Luckily at work he had overheard him saying that he would be going out with some friends to a club and Theresa would be staying home. So that was a chance. He came by their house waiting near a hidden spot so no one could see him. He waited till he saw Jacob leave. But Fox remembered he had no key, he couldn't go by the window, Theresa might freak out and think he was a burglar of some sort and call the police.
He thought back to the past, Theresa always left a spare key under the mat in front on the door. Hopefully she still did the same. Fox bent down and lifted the carpet holding his breath. The silver key glimmered, he smiled knowingly. He had brought along some papers just in case Theresa asked why he was there, he would be able to say he wanted to give Jacob some files.
He was prepared; he quietly opened the door and stepped into the house. He didn't hear Theresa, Little Ethan or Sarah anywhere.
He knew his way around the house pretty well, he had been invited and visited many times. He walked upstairs and went to Theresa's room; he was about to knock when he heard her soft voice. He listened intently.
"Oh Sarah.... I'm not a good mother to you.."
Fox wanted to object but he wanted to hear the rest.
"Look at this photo.... this is your daddy...the father you'll never have."
He quietly opened the door hoping she wouldn't hear it creak. He was confused, Jacob was Sarah's father, what was Theresa saying about 'the father you'll never have'?
"I should tell the truth but I can't, he's done too many things to please me, I don't want to hurt him. But he has to know eventually. If only things were different, you could be with your father, I know you would love him, you have so much in common." she continued.
"Theresa......." he softly said.
She immediately turned around frightened looking at the man.
"Fox?! What ...how..."
He grinned and held up the key.
"I see you still leave the key for strangers." he noticed that Theresa was trying to hide something behind her back. He came closer and picked up Sarah. He loved her, he felt really connected, some sort of bond...a family bond. Fox eyed Theresa suspiciously. "Are you hiding something?"
"No..."
He passed Sarah back to Theresa making her lose grasp of the object she was holding, a photo, she quickly bent down and tried to take it, but she wasn't fast enough. Fox told hold of it first and looked at it.
"Err.." she stuttered.
The object was the photo she had been talking about, but it had him in the picture. He was confused, why the heck would Theresa be showing an image of him to Sarah.
Suddenly his heart skipped a beat, it came to him. He remembered the sentence that she had said earlier. 'Look at this photo.... this is your daddy...the father you'll never have.'
"Sarah...She's my daughter isn't she?"
Theresa looked onto the floor guilty, she placed Sarah back in her crib, it was going to be a long night.
"Oh my...Theresa! Look at me!"
She did as she was told, his eyes showed pain and anger.
"Is Sarah my daughter?"
What could Theresa say? She couldn't lie, it was impossible, and the photo was already evidence. Tears began to fall, as she looked him straight in the eye.
"Yes...she is."
Fox was stunned and he held onto a chair for balance, he had a little girl. No wonder he felt like they connected so much. But now it was going to change everything. He felt bad that he made Theresa cry so he calmed down. "She's truly my little girl, you're not lying?"
"Yes, she is, alright?"
"Does Jacob know?"
"No! And I'm not planning to tell him."
Fox was beginning to get mad.
"What do you mean? Jacob has to know, he has a right. Sarah isn't his daughter."
"No! He loves her so much and I can't hurt him, he's like a real father to her."
"But I'm her real father, this isn't just some small thing, it's going to affect everything, you can't leave it alone, if you won't tell Jacob, I will."
"You won't, this is none of your business."
"None of MY business? Have you gone delusional? This is MY little girl you're talking about and you're saying it's none of MY business?!" he was fuming with anger.
"Why are you caring so much all of a sudden? It's not like you were actually a father to her!"
"How could I be? You never told me where you lived, I tried looking for you, I did. I asked everyone where you were, and you forbade them to tell me!"
Theresa kept silent, he was right.
"I had a right to know! This is an important thing, and you never told me!"
"So? I had a right to know that YOU were cheating behind my back! But did you tell me? NO, I had to find out on our wedding day, what a perfect gift!!"
Fox was stunned by her sudden outcome; he looked at the floor shamefully.
"Look, we have to calm down and discuss this like real adults instead of screaming. Alright?"
She nodded.
"I-I'll go make some tea."
She walked out the door and rested by the wall and sighed, what was going to happen between them?
Inside her room, Fox picked up Sarah from her crib and gave her a big hug and a kiss on her forehead.
"I'm you daddy..I'm sorry I wasn't there all those years to care for you and I'm sorry that I caused your mother so much pain." If only Theresa and him could be together again, they could all be a happy family just like they had planned.
Theresa took a peek at the two of them and had to smile, they really did look like father and daughter. Fox looked like he had truly changed, but she couldn't leave Jacob. She made her way down and prepared something for the two of them.
A few minutes later Fox walked down and saw Theresa sitting at the couch, he sat down beside her and she passed him a cup of tea.
"Thanks."
There was that horrible silence again.
"Theresa, you know how I feel about you." He said breaking the silence.
She looked away not wanting to hear any of this.
"Fox.Don't do this, you decided your future with me. If you hadn't lied, maybe we would still be together."
Fox told her hand and held it, surprisingly she didn't pull away, so he just moved closed to her. He leaned in and kissed her, long and hard. She didn't have time to think. This had to be a dream, her kissing Fox, the man she loved, it wasn't real. For him, it was amazing, after 3 long years, he was with her again and maybe she wouldn't leave him and hear him out. He pulled apart and rested his forehead against hers.
"I love you Theresa."
She came to senses and shoved him away.
"What the hell did I just do? Get out Fox, leave!"
"What? Why?" He wasn't understanding any of this.
"I can't believe I just did that, it wasn't supposed to happen." she felt really guilty.
"You did nothing wrong."
"Nothing wrong?! I'm married for God's sake. That did not just happen." She paced around the living room. "Get out won't you?!" she cried.
He didn't say another word and walked out. Outside he looked at her house once more.
"I know you still love me Theresa."
As planned, Jacob got the job. He fit in great with everyone at work. Fox tried to play best friend with him, occassionaly-mentioning Theresa. Jacob just didn't realize that Fox might have a thing for his wife. As much as he didn't want to admit it, Jacob was a loyal friend.
At work Theresa often called to check up on Jacob but Fox never told him, he didn't want them to get closer then they already were. And if he asked him whether Theresa had called him or not, Fox would lie and say no one had called.
Theresa was very unhappy that Jacob had gotten this particular job. She kept getting her feelings mixed up, Fox was now looking better then ever, but she couldn't have him. She loved Jacob, but not as much, partly she had married him because she assumed that it would help ease the pain and make her forget about Fox. Jacob was a wonderful man, he did everything he could to please Theresa. Though she knew she wasn't worthy of his love. She hadn't told him that Fox was her ex-husband.
Actually Jacob reminded Theresa of Fox, maybe that was one of the reasons she had chose him, because at least it would seem like he would always be there, guiding her.
Though now it seemed like Fox didn't even care about her anymore, he never mentioned anything from the past, and he was always looking happy. Maybe he had really gotten over her. But she just didn't know it was all an act.
There were times when Fox called or went to their house. But on the phone, he always stalled or made excuses so he could hear Theresa's voice just a little longer. Jacob was their way of communicating, without him, they wouldn't even know how to exchange one word.
_______________________________
One night, Fox really wanted to see Theresa, but Jacob was there. Luckily at work he had overheard him saying that he would be going out with some friends to a club and Theresa would be staying home. So that was a chance. He came by their house waiting near a hidden spot so no one could see him. He waited till he saw Jacob leave. But Fox remembered he had no key, he couldn't go by the window, Theresa might freak out and think he was a burglar of some sort and call the police.
He thought back to the past, Theresa always left a spare key under the mat in front on the door. Hopefully she still did the same. Fox bent down and lifted the carpet holding his breath. The silver key glimmered, he smiled knowingly. He had brought along some papers just in case Theresa asked why he was there, he would be able to say he wanted to give Jacob some files.
He was prepared; he quietly opened the door and stepped into the house. He didn't hear Theresa, Little Ethan or Sarah anywhere.
He knew his way around the house pretty well, he had been invited and visited many times. He walked upstairs and went to Theresa's room; he was about to knock when he heard her soft voice. He listened intently.
"Oh Sarah.... I'm not a good mother to you.."
Fox wanted to object but he wanted to hear the rest.
"Look at this photo.... this is your daddy...the father you'll never have."
He quietly opened the door hoping she wouldn't hear it creak. He was confused, Jacob was Sarah's father, what was Theresa saying about 'the father you'll never have'?
"I should tell the truth but I can't, he's done too many things to please me, I don't want to hurt him. But he has to know eventually. If only things were different, you could be with your father, I know you would love him, you have so much in common." she continued.
"Theresa......." he softly said.
She immediately turned around frightened looking at the man.
"Fox?! What ...how..."
He grinned and held up the key.
"I see you still leave the key for strangers." he noticed that Theresa was trying to hide something behind her back. He came closer and picked up Sarah. He loved her, he felt really connected, some sort of bond...a family bond. Fox eyed Theresa suspiciously. "Are you hiding something?"
"No..."
He passed Sarah back to Theresa making her lose grasp of the object she was holding, a photo, she quickly bent down and tried to take it, but she wasn't fast enough. Fox told hold of it first and looked at it.
"Err.." she stuttered.
The object was the photo she had been talking about, but it had him in the picture. He was confused, why the heck would Theresa be showing an image of him to Sarah.
Suddenly his heart skipped a beat, it came to him. He remembered the sentence that she had said earlier. 'Look at this photo.... this is your daddy...the father you'll never have.'
"Sarah...She's my daughter isn't she?"
Theresa looked onto the floor guilty, she placed Sarah back in her crib, it was going to be a long night.
"Oh my...Theresa! Look at me!"
She did as she was told, his eyes showed pain and anger.
"Is Sarah my daughter?"
What could Theresa say? She couldn't lie, it was impossible, and the photo was already evidence. Tears began to fall, as she looked him straight in the eye.
"Yes...she is."
Fox was stunned and he held onto a chair for balance, he had a little girl. No wonder he felt like they connected so much. But now it was going to change everything. He felt bad that he made Theresa cry so he calmed down. "She's truly my little girl, you're not lying?"
"Yes, she is, alright?"
"Does Jacob know?"
"No! And I'm not planning to tell him."
Fox was beginning to get mad.
"What do you mean? Jacob has to know, he has a right. Sarah isn't his daughter."
"No! He loves her so much and I can't hurt him, he's like a real father to her."
"But I'm her real father, this isn't just some small thing, it's going to affect everything, you can't leave it alone, if you won't tell Jacob, I will."
"You won't, this is none of your business."
"None of MY business? Have you gone delusional? This is MY little girl you're talking about and you're saying it's none of MY business?!" he was fuming with anger.
"Why are you caring so much all of a sudden? It's not like you were actually a father to her!"
"How could I be? You never told me where you lived, I tried looking for you, I did. I asked everyone where you were, and you forbade them to tell me!"
Theresa kept silent, he was right.
"I had a right to know! This is an important thing, and you never told me!"
"So? I had a right to know that YOU were cheating behind my back! But did you tell me? NO, I had to find out on our wedding day, what a perfect gift!!"
Fox was stunned by her sudden outcome; he looked at the floor shamefully.
"Look, we have to calm down and discuss this like real adults instead of screaming. Alright?"
She nodded.
"I-I'll go make some tea."
She walked out the door and rested by the wall and sighed, what was going to happen between them?
Inside her room, Fox picked up Sarah from her crib and gave her a big hug and a kiss on her forehead.
"I'm you daddy..I'm sorry I wasn't there all those years to care for you and I'm sorry that I caused your mother so much pain." If only Theresa and him could be together again, they could all be a happy family just like they had planned.
Theresa took a peek at the two of them and had to smile, they really did look like father and daughter. Fox looked like he had truly changed, but she couldn't leave Jacob. She made her way down and prepared something for the two of them.
A few minutes later Fox walked down and saw Theresa sitting at the couch, he sat down beside her and she passed him a cup of tea.
"Thanks."
There was that horrible silence again.
"Theresa, you know how I feel about you." He said breaking the silence.
She looked away not wanting to hear any of this.
"Fox.Don't do this, you decided your future with me. If you hadn't lied, maybe we would still be together."
Fox told her hand and held it, surprisingly she didn't pull away, so he just moved closed to her. He leaned in and kissed her, long and hard. She didn't have time to think. This had to be a dream, her kissing Fox, the man she loved, it wasn't real. For him, it was amazing, after 3 long years, he was with her again and maybe she wouldn't leave him and hear him out. He pulled apart and rested his forehead against hers.
"I love you Theresa."
She came to senses and shoved him away.
"What the hell did I just do? Get out Fox, leave!"
"What? Why?" He wasn't understanding any of this.
"I can't believe I just did that, it wasn't supposed to happen." she felt really guilty.
"You did nothing wrong."
"Nothing wrong?! I'm married for God's sake. That did not just happen." She paced around the living room. "Get out won't you?!" she cried.
He didn't say another word and walked out. Outside he looked at her house once more.
"I know you still love me Theresa."