Disclaimer: I don't own Instant Star.

Chapter 20: Engagement estrangement

After the last month of touring, Tommy returned home. I was prepared for his return and I had the rest of his stuff packed.

"Hello?" He called as he came into Sadie's house.

I looked down from the top of staircase and rolled my eyes.

"Jude!" He yelled coming towards me.

I turned back into my bedroom, not wanting to talk to him.

He came up the stairs and into the room. "I heard your new single. I thought you couldn't produce a song without me."

"I did it for over a year before, I could handle it for six months."

"But this new song… wow. I'm not sure what to say. It's kind of…"

"True?" I offered.

"Insulting?" He replied.

"No it's true. You are quicksand, Tommy and if I'm with you, you're not just taking me down, you're taking Tommy Jr. down too."

"Jude… listen to me…"

"No, Tom, I'm done with you. You cheated on me twice, once while we were engaged. I'm just done."

"I know I've been stupid in the past, but at the end of the day, all I want is to be with you!"

"The past? It was just last month, Tom! And how do I know that you haven't cheated since then?"

"You have to trust me!"

"Trust you?" I screamed. "You want me to trust you? How can I trust you? I don't think I can anymore!"

"Please, Jude!"

"No!" With that scream, Little Tommy started crying. I picked him up from his crib and bounced him in my arms. "Look, our son is 11 months old and you've been here for only about one of those 11. You're stuff is packed, you should go."

"Jude, don't make me leave."

"I'm not, Tommy, you made yourself leave."

"I get it, I screwed up! But don't make me leave our son again."

"Now you want to stay? After you left twice of your own free-will, now you want to stay?"

"Yes, Jude!"

"Get out!"

"Now?"

"Get the hell out of my house now!"

"Don't do this!"

"What should I do? Let this go, and then what? You'll cheat again? I don't think so. I'm not going through it and I'm not putting our son through it. You're gone."

"Please listen!"

"I've done my listening, now time for your leaving." I set our son back into his crib and brushed past Tommy. He followed me down the stairs and I held the door open for him. "Don't make this harder than it has to be, Tom. Just go."

He opened his mouth to say something but closed it and left.

I pulled the ring off my finger and chucked it at him. "Don't come back, Tommy, ever." And I slammed the door in his face.

Sadie came from the family room. "Is it safe now?"

"Yeah," I muttered, "it's safe now."

She came farther into the entryway and locked me in a hug. "I've said it before, you're better off without him."

"At this point, I'm sure you're right."

"And this is probably the best for Tommy Jr."

"Right, and the most important thing in my life is Tommy Jr."

"Right."

"Yeah…" But would I really be better off without him?

AN: Poor Jude… Okay, sorry it took so long to update but since my keyboard is screwed up I have to use my mom's laptop and I can only use it every once in a while. Please R&R!