Once, my paranoid love

I watched Elena walk towards the swing, her silhouette a fleeting presence beneath the moonlit sky. A soft sigh escaped me, a reflection of the unspoken concerns that lingered in the depths of my heart.

“I really let her go there by herself, but my heart wouldn’t let me,” I mused silently, a mix of worry and reluctance playing on my features. The night held a delicate balance between serenity and the quiet turmoil within me.

I questioned myself, grappling with the reasons behind my concern. Why did I worry so much about her safety in the presence of that undeserving jerk? The unsettling thought that he might discover Elena’s condition unsettled me. If he found out about the life growing within her, I knew he would make every effort to manipulate the situation, to convince her to stay.

“And Elena!” I called out softly, my voice carrying a note of longing. The hesitation lingered as I took a lingering glance in the direction she had gone.

My gaze followed her, a silent plea echoing in my heart. I couldn’t shake the feeling that she still harbored a warm spot for him. The complexities of emotions tangled in the moonlit garden, where shadows danced with the echoes of unspoken fears.

**

Seated on the swing outside, I stole glances at Derek as he engaged in conversation, his unwavering gaze fixed on me. A smile formed on my lips; the warmth of his attention felt like a comforting embrace. In that moment, I couldn’t help but appreciate the luck that had intertwined our lives.

My gaze shifted to the front, where a group of carefree children reveled in the moonlit night. A tender touch on my belly brought forth a flood of thoughts about the future. I envisioned our child playing amidst laughter and joy, a scene that felt both surreal and heartwarming.

But a sudden disturbance caught my attention. A young girl, part of the group of children, collapsed to the ground, her cries piercing the serene atmosphere. Without a second thought, I rose from the swing and hurried over to her side.

“Are you all OK, baby? Does it hurt?” I inquired, my hand gently massaging hers in a gesture of comfort.

“It hurts,” she responded with a tearful nod, her vulnerability tugging at my heart.

Concern etched on my face, I sought to understand her situation. “Where are your parents?” I asked, realizing the importance of ensuring her safety.

“They are here,” she stated, a hint of fear lingering in her eyes.

“Alright, let’s take care of your wounds first,” I reassured her, my soothing tone aiming to alleviate her distress. “It’s just a tiny scratch, honey.”

She gave a gentle nod.

“Elena,” Derek’s voice trembled, reflecting his concern.

“Calm down, Derek, I’m OK. She is in pain. Could you kindly carry her for me?” I requested, my focus on comforting the distressed girl.

Without hesitation, Derek lifted the young girl and settled her gently on the swing. His reassuring words attempted to dispel her fear. “Don’t cry, sweetie,” he said, his touch offering solace. “It’s just a minor scrape.”

As her parents hurried to the scene, the mother cradled her daughter with maternal concern. “What’s wrong, baby?” she inquired.

“Mom, I fell,” the girl explained, her innocent admission contrasting with the tension that now enveloped the small group.

However, the father’s response was unexpectedly harsh. “You should have been more careful, girl!” he scolded, his tone echoing with disapproval.

Observing the scene, I couldn’t shake off the unease that settled within me. The father’s stern demeanor and the girl’s palpable fear suggested an underlying tension in their family dynamics.

I exchanged a puzzled glance with Derek, silently acknowledging the strangeness of the situation. The little girl seemed terrified in the presence of her father, a revelation that stirred my protective instincts.

Before I could voice my concerns, Derek intervened, his words cutting through the tense atmosphere.

“What’s the point of chastising her? She had just fallen as a result of an accident.”This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

“Mr., who are you to say this to me? I’m her father. I have the right to scold her at any time,” that man retorted, his authority challenged.

Derek’s patience wore thin as he responded, “Stop with the bullshit and try to treat her wound. I don’t have time to speak with you.” His straightforward words aimed at prioritizing the girl’s well-being.

Unfazed, that man, now angered, demanded, “What did you say to me?” A confrontational spark ignited in his eyes.

Attempting to diffuse the escalating tension, I intervened, pleading with Derek to avoid further conflict. But the situation took an unexpected turn.

“Baby, stay here,” Derek urged the young girl, a protective gesture before he approached.

Derek declared, “I don’t have time for a moron.”

The insult further fueled the man’s anger, pushing him to grab Derek’s collar and shout, “What? How dare you call me a moron?”

As the atmosphere thickened with hostility, the girl’s mother, terrified by the unfolding scene, tried to reason with her husband.

“What exactly are you up to? They simply helped us,” she implored, attempting to diffuse the tension.

Disregarding her plea, that guy arrogantly ordered, “You shut up.” In response to the escalating aggression, Derek, without uttering a word, delivered a punch that landed squarely on his face.

A pained scream echoed through the night, “Ahh! How dare you!”

Kai appeared out of nowhere, concern etched on his face as he surveyed the escalating situation. “What’s going on here?” he inquired, seeking clarity in the midst of the commotion.

“Stop it. Do you have any idea who he is?”

Derek, maintaining a level-headed demeanor, addressed Kai, “Mr. Kai, let it be.”

Derek turned around to call for Elena’s attention, a momentary panic seized him-she was nowhere to be seen.

“Elena,” he called out, his voice tinged with worry, his eyes darting around in search of her presence.

Derek took a short walk, anxiety gnawing at him as he searched for Elena. Relief washed over him when he found her. “Thank you, God,” he whispered to himself.

Approaching Elena from behind, he enveloped her in a comforting hug. “You’re here. I was simply wondering whether something had happened to you,” he expressed, his voice reflecting a of concern.