Someone To Watch Over You

Chapter 23

Cat is in the fetal position hugging her stuffed tiger. She couldn't stop crying. When Olivia suddenly appears in the room again. Cat slowly sits up. "Is he gone?"

Olivia nods. Something about what Alex said is getting to her. 'I'm not doing this to her. I'm doing it for her. Not everyone leaves because they don't care. Some of us are just trying to protect the ones we love.'

When he said those words, Dillion sprung to mind. Olivia damns her traitorous heart. Did he leave her to protect her? She immediately pushes the notion aside. No, that is a wish of a young girl whose heart was broken. Olivia swore she will never be that foolish again.

"What is it? Did he say something?" Cat inquires, uncertain how to read the expression on Olivia's face. She appears to be upset by something.

"He uh... he wanted me to give you this." Olivia holds out the folded piece of loose-leaf paper. Cat's hand shakes when she takes it. "Do you want a moment?" Olivia asks.

Cat nods slowly. 

"I'll be in the kitchen if you want to talk. Just come get me. Do you want anything to eat?"

Cat shakes her head no. 

"Okay." Olivia left to let Cat handle whatever is in that letter by herself, though she didn't like the idea. Not one bit.

Once the door closed behind Olivia, Cat unfolds the letter. The necklace Alex gave her fell onto her lap. She picks it up and puts it aside on the nightstand.

Why would he give her back her necklace? She noticed he kept the ring, and although she gave it back to him, it hurt.

She takes a deep breath in and exhales, trying to prepare herself for what the letter may contain.

Cat,

I know I'm the last person you wish to see or talk to, but I have to finish what I didn't get to say earlier. I need you to know why I left. I'm stuck, Cat. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, I swore I would never hurt you, or leave, that we were in this together and on the other, I learn my very presence in your life can lead to you losing your baby and I can't be responsible for that.

As much as it may hurt you to walk away, I assure you it hurts me 10x more. Still, I'd do it again if it means keeping you and the baby together and safe from Liam. He doesn't deserve either of you to be in his life; still, I have no say, as he is the baby's real father, not me.

Having you and Peanut in my life was some sort of beautiful dream, but like all dreams there comes a point where you have to wake up and face reality. I love you, Cat, with every fiber of my being, never doubt that, but I understand and will always do what is best for you and the baby. I promised to keep you safe, and that is what I'm doing. Take care of yourself and that little one for me. 

I'm sorry I didn't know you were in the hospital. I'm even sorrier to learn I was the cause. I hope one day you will forgive me.

Love always and forever,

Alex

P.S. The necklace is yours to do whatever you like with it. I don't feel right keeping it, as it was a birthday gift.

Cat didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or scream at the absurdity of Alex's letter. He's going to walk away to keep her safe, but him walking away lands her in the hospital. She feels the tear slip down her cheek and she wipes it away. She wants to scream at him. How dare he make such a decision for her? What the hell was is he thinking?