This was not a planned chapter, but many of you wanted to know what happened after Ana left and Christian was alone with Elena, so I decided to write that scene as a bonus chapter. The new chapter will be up tomorrow... so, get ready to jump on board the crazy train tomorrow ;-)
Grace
This has gone too far. I have tried to stay out of my children's relationships and so far I have succeeded, they are all grown up and need to figure their relationships out themselves, but this has gotten out of hand. I don't even know what to believe anymore, but I'll refuse to let my granddaughter get in the middle of all this drama. I understand that Ana is upset after coming home to find Elena holding Arielle... when Ana told me what this awful witch said to Arielle, I wanted to find her and kill her, but I also need to hear my son's sight of the story.
I'm not a violent person, but what she has done to my son is just too much. I should have convinced him to report her back then, but at the same time, I didn't want him to go through this kind of public humiliation. Now, I feel like it is the only option left to get Elena out of Christian's life.
As I arrive at the house Ryan lets me in and I'm shocked when he apologetic tells me that he has to check my car. Apparently, Taylor is not taking any chances and now has everyone who enters the property searched. I let Ryan do his work and walk inside where I find Christian putting together a huge doll house.
„That is very pretty, darling." I say as I sit down on the floor next to my son.
„I found it online... I know Arielle is way too young to play with it yet, but I remembered how much Mia loved her dollhouse, so I wanted one for Arielle." He says and puts the last piece into place.
„Darling, we need to talk... what happened here?"
"Elena won. She fucked me over and now my marriage is over." He says and looks at his hands.
„Did you let her in?"
„No! Fuck, I was trying to win Ana back, to have a family... my family. I know that Ana doesn't like Elena. Hates her guts, to be more clear... and I don't want Elena near my child. Not just because of Ana, I get it now, what we have done isn't right. Elena should have known better, I should have said no."
„No, darling, you cannot blame yourself for what has been done to you. You were a child, Elena was the grown up and should have never started this, she was wrong and you are not to blame, don't ever think that."
„Ana is not going to let me see Arielle again."
„That is not true. I have talked to her this morning and she still wants you to see Arielle. She has asked Mia to bring her over each day so you can see her. Mia will stay here for the visits and bring her kids too."
„So, Mia is making sure I'm not harming my own child." He huffs and I sigh.
„Christian, I'm your mother and I will always defend you, but try to see this from Ana's point of view as well. You promised her Elena was out of your life before you even got married and then she found out that was a lie... then you told her again Elena was out of your life and still she came back and then Ana had to find her here holding Arielle... Elena is a child molester and no parent would want a person like that near their child... you said it yourself."
„I just want her to trust me. But I don't know how to get there."
„It will take time..."
„I don't have fucking time... she is going to file for divorce and I won't be able to stop her from divorcing me forever! I have tried to think of some way to make her see that I'm not lying this time, but fucking Elena ruined everything. If it wasn't for Ryan coming home from running some errands I would have murdered her then and there." Christian says.
„But you haven't touched her right? You didn't do anything that she could use to file a report and turn this on you?" I ask, Elena is such a vile person, I wouldn't put it past her to provoke Christian so much that he at least grabbed her in some way to remove her from the house and in doing so file report on him.
„No, we were in the middle of a yelling match when Ryan arrived. She still insists that she is doing me a favor, that I'm not made to be a parent... and when she says it, it does sound convincing, but I can't allow her to get into my head again, because I know I can do it..."
„Christian, you have to trust in yourself, you already showed that you are willing and capable of being a good father to your child."
„Yeah and look what it got me... Ana is gone and she took Arielle with her." He says bitterly.
„It doesn't have to be that way forever... and even you do get divorced that doesn't mean you aren't going to be able to raise your child... it won't be easy at first to figure out but you'll get there eventually."
„Mom... would you forgive me if you were Ana?" He asks and I remain silent.
„I see."
„Darling, I'm going to be very honest. I know relationships need a lot of work and nurturing, your father and I had our fights... but to be very honest, if he had put me through something similar, I would have divorced him right away, no legal separation, no trying to fix things. But the reason for that is that Ana and I are very different. I make decisions with my head, she makes them with her heart and that could be your chance to win her back."
„What would you do in this situation?"
„I guess, I would give her a few days to calm down and then try to get into contact with her... ask to have a talk and put my cards on the table... and maybe it is also time to do what is right and report Elena."
„No, I can't."
„Why?" I ask.
„I... I don't know... I just know that I can't." He says and looks confused.
„Darling, we should have insisted for you to report her way back when you first told us, but we thought with her out of your life it was enough... that you could move on with Ana and be happy. Now, I see that that was a huge mistake. You need her out your life for good and by reporting her, you can also show Ana that you truly want to change and make things right." I say and watch as he gets up and starts to pace.
Christian
I know my mother is right... but for some reason, I cannot fathom I just can't seem to be able to do it. Maybe it's what Elena said after Ana left that is still getting to me or maybe I'm just too fucked up to do the right thing, but it is driving me insane.
I just can't seem to finally get Elena out of my life and even with John, it's all the same. I'm certain he is working with Elena, yet my first instinct is to call him and ask him for advice. I have refrained so far and Taylor is insisting that I'm going to find someone else, he even recommended another shrink to me, but I just can't bring myself to go through with it.
Part of me wishes Ryan wouldn't have come home yesterday because I would have killed her with my bare hands, but now it is too late...
- Flashback -
I watch as Ana and Gail leave with Arielle and all I want is to wrap my hands around Elena's neck and squeeze until I can see the light leave her eyes. In this moment, I cannot contain myself any longer and run upstairs.
„I told you, Christian, you will never be able to be a good father, all I did was too protect you from this very moment where your wife chooses your child over you." Elena says trying to sound compassionate, but it only fuels my anger.
„You did this! You broke into my home and did this, how the fuck could you do this to me?"
„I was trying to save you!"
„Like hell you were, you just ruined everything I was trying to build you fucking cunt!" I hiss at her and her eyes nearly bulge out of her head.
„What did you just call me?"
„A fucking cunt, that's what you are and I hate myself for not seeing it years ago, because then none of this would have happened... I wouldn't have gotten a vasectomy, lied to my wife, abandoned her when she was pregnant with my child and you would have never gotten to lay your dirty hands on my innocent child!" I yell at her.
„And now you are left with no one but me... your family will pick Ana's side, your wife is going to divorce you and once she has found a new man, your own daughter will prefer him over you... don't kid yourself, Christian, I'm the best thing that has ever happened to you, all I have ever done was to make you sure you would succeed in life and if you thing I will allow you to just get rid of me then you are sadly mistaken, because I will destroy everything in life that you love... make up your mind now, Christian. Do you choose her or me?"
„You are sick, Elena... do you honestly think I would choose you over my wife?"
„You have done it all the time, think about it, you've lied to her for me time and time again... she will never be able to trust you again and if she tries, I'm right there to make sure every attempt will fail, so you better make the right choice here or else!" She spits back at me and the urge to choke her to shut her up is getting even stronger.
„You will stay the fuck away from Ana, my daughter or any other member of my family. Because if you don't, I will fucking bury you!"
„Darling, you can't threaten me... and I can do whatever I want. You make think that you are in charge, but I have all the control in the world and there is nothing you can do about it."
„Get. The. Fuck. Out. Of. My. House. Now!" I sneer, any second I'm going to lose my shit and thing will get very ugly.
„Sir?" I turn around and find Ryan in the hallway.
„Where the fuck have you been?"
„Gail asked me to pick up a few things from the store right before you and Taylor left." He says.
„And who the fuck was watching the house..."
„I'm sorry, the security system was running, I would have been alerted if anyone was at the gate."
„Well, you sure as fuck missed her! Now get her the fuck out of my house." I hiss at him and run downstairs, trying to call Ana but she sends the calls straight to voice mail...
- End of Flashback -
„Christian... stop sweetheart." My mother's voice brings me back to the now and I look at her.
„You know that reporting Elena is the right thing to do... you have a child now yourself, imagine a man in his late thirties would seduce your fifteen year old daughter."
„I would fucking kill the bastard." I reply without missing a beat.
„See, it's no different to what was done to you. If you are not up to it, I can report her for you, your father..."
„Oh please, he is Ana's lawyer, way to show me how much he loves he." I mutter.
„Yes, your father is Ana's lawyer, but not because he wouldn't take your side in a heartbeat. He just doesn't want to drag more people into this and he knows the two of you don't have a prenup... do you know how many divorce attorneys would recommend Ana to take you to the cleaners? It would be gold for their resume. So all your father is trying to do is to protect you while also making sure that Ana will not be stubborn and demand nothing, especially in regards of Arielle."
„He is not talking to me."
„Darling, when was the last time you have called any of us, not just your father and I, but also your siblings?"
„I... I don't know." I reply, come to think of it, I cannot recall calling any of my family members for a very long time... they usually call me or Ana had them on the phone so I would speak to them.
„I can't remember either... and I understand that you are busy, but sometimes it would be nice to just get a text or a phone call. Your father is angry that you have lied to all of us in regards to Elena... so he may not call you for a while to avoid getting into a fight with you, but he will always be there if you call him. Don't ever doubt that. We are your family and we love you."
„I need to think about everything that has happened... maybe seeing a new shrink is a good idea... do you think Ana would agree to start couples counseling again?"
„I don't know, but I'm sure if you give her a few days to calm down, she will answer your calls and you can ask her yourself. And please, think about reporting Elena... she needs to be out of your life for good or she will always lure in the dark waiting for her chance to pounce." My mom says pleading at me with her eyes and I know she is right, but I just can't seem to tell her that I will do it.
„I think about it, mom. Look, I don't want to be rude, but I need some time to think."
„Of course. Please, call me if you need someone to talk to." She says and kisses my cheek.
As I watch her leave, I know she is right... but I just need some more time to think this through and consider what reporting Elena could possibly mean to myself before I go through with it.