Abigaile couldn't open her mouth as if she had run out of words to answer Enzo's

question, so she adjusted the door enough for Enzo to come in. Enzo sighed heavily, relieved that Abigaile had let him inside.

When Enzo finally set his foot inside, a picture-perfect memory was scattered on the floor. When was the last time he had alone time with Abigaile? Did Abigaile ever think of him? Enzo clenched his jaw, opposing the urge not to reminisce about the past. He visited her because he wanted to know what had happened to her in the past six years, her future

plans, and make everything fixed with her.

"Seat there. Do you want coffee or tea?" Abigaile queried as she gestured to Enzo to sit on the stool near the kitchen island counter.

Enzo cleared his throat as he folded his arms across his chest, "Just coffee," Enzo roamed his eyes around, and when he set foot inside, he saw a picture of Abigaile and Tristan that was perfectly hung on the wall.

Enzo couldn't help but stare at Abigaile's back. A glimpse of warmth touched his heart with the idea that Abigaile didn't drive him away from her life. After all, he had hurt her and broken her into pieces. He was a jerk back then, a jackass who only knows how to run away from the things he thinks will break him. Without knowing that, he plunges pain into the people who try to embrace him.

"Enzo?"

Enzo blinked twice when he saw Abigaile snapping her fingers in front of him. "You seemed in deep thoughts. Were you sure to have a conversation with me in that state?" As Abigaile spoke, her eyes were fixated on Enzo, who seemed distracted.

Enzo nodded and felt his cheeks heated up in embarrassment, so he palmed his mouth and gazed away. Abigaile, on the other hand, shook her head at Enzo's weird actions. When the coffee was prepared, he filled a teacup and handed it to Enzo.

"Thank you," Enzo conveyed.

Abigaile heaved a sigh as she filled her cup with coffee and took her book to the living room, she had already picked up the book on the shelf, and she returned with her glasses on and a book in her grasp.

"Mr. Robinson, staring is rude." Enzo felt his heart pound rapidly, it seemed like a déjà vu, and Abigaile seemed astounded by the words that suddenly came out of her mouth without control.

Enzo broke the silence because he noticed the dead air between them. Abigaile acted

like she was reading the book before her, but she couldn't even understand its passage.

"So, how are you? U-uh, Tristan told me that you raised him alone while studying. Say, he is an adorable kid, and I am delighted because you didn't take away my right to know about our son's existence. However, I wanted to hear from you. How have you been those years that I wasn't around?"

Abigaile smiled a little without staring at Enzo. She wouldn't let herself drown in his eyes. "It was tough. I had to live in a new environment I wasn't used to. I have to live for the child inside my belly, survive, and give up my studies and the dreams I had built. The first three nights were the hardest, I couldn't sleep a wink, and I couldn't help but think about what lies in the future? Where should I start? My parents sent me away and labeled me as a disgrace in our family because you impregnated me at the age of fifteen…." Enzo stiffened in front of Abigaile. He couldn't speak. But seeing Abigaile breaking in front of him made his knees lose their stamina and become feeble.

He immediately crossed the distance between him and Abigaile. He tried to offer

his hand, but Abigaile gave him a warm smile, but she declined it and wiped her

tears. "Ugh! My Apologies, I just became emotional," she chuckled painfully. Abigaile cleared her throat and continued, while Enzo felt dejected as he sat on the stool.

"Those were my darkest days until Nico came into our life. He helped me and even lent a

hand to raise Tristan while I was studying after giving birth to him. Furthermore, that was all in the past, and I've moved on. Besides, having Tristan was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. He is a gift that lightens my path while dealing with my dark past." Abigaile grinned in front of Enzo.

Abigaile felt a pang of pain in her heart when she saw what Enzo had done. He kneeled in

front of her as his hands were folded for forgiveness. His expression seemed lost, far away from the Enzo that she knew in the past.

"I'm sorry…I-it was my fault…."

"W-what are you doing? Enzo! Please stand up!" Abigaile panicked as she felt the

apprehension upon seeing Enzo kneeling on the floor in tears!

"I'm sorry, Abi…I-if I should have known earlier…."

Abigaile tried to lift Enzo up, but to her disappointment, she couldn't even get hold of

his weight since Enzo was a muscular man.

Abigaile had no choice but to level their gazes and enveloped her arms around the shaking Enzo. She didn't expect this side of him; maybe it had been six years, and Nico was right that people change as years go by.

Abigaile felt an intense emotion that stirred up her heart. She recognizes this warmth,

the warmth that only Enzo can bring upon her. When Abigaile was about to withdraw

her grasp, she gasped when Enzo tightened his hand on her back.

"Just for a moment, please…." He murmured between him feebly. Enzo couldn't hold the

unexplained emotion that he had been feeling at the moment; how long had he yearned for this warmth? The warmth that you can only feel when Abigaile is cuddling him.

When Abigaile withdrew her hands from him, he felt half of him longed for more, but

seeing Abigaile take a step away as if she was afraid of getting burned made Enzo feel stupid for wanting more from Abigaile. He hurt her, and the woman built a wall between him.

"Abigaile, I'll make it up with you and Tristan. I'll make up those years I am not around

with our son." Abigaile smiled and nodded. Then, Abigaile had a proper conversation with Enzo. She told him that she would pursue her law degree.

"I was planning to pursue my college degree at UCLA College of la—"

"Can I take care of our son while you are attending school? My Villa is open to him

anytime. Besides, I am working on my house to focus on Tristan."

Abigaile became silent for a moment. Enzo's suggestion would be beneficial for her since

Tristan can have time with his real father, and Nico is a busy person, so he can focus on his company.

After all, Enzo is Nico's father, and she couldn't change the fact that blood is thicker than water. They have been apart for years, and it's the best time for Enzo to make it up to her son.

Enzo spoke, which made Abigaile astounded for a moment, "I was planning to Introduce.

Tristan is my son to my brother and Grandma. I can't hide the truth that I am now a father and should be responsible because I am a dignified man."

Abigaile couldn't suppress the smile she had been trying to prevent from seeing how Enzo

had changed over the past six years. He wasn't the same stubborn and hot-headed man she had a deal with six years ago. "Okay, it's Tristan's right to meet his uncle and grandmother, so I gave you my permission to bring Trista—"

"I wanted you to come with us, Abigaile." Enzo retorted with a deep tone, "I wanted to introduce you as the Mother of my child. I can't just tell my grandmother that I got someone pregnant, and Tristan happened." Enzo added and swept the chaotic strand of hair from his frowning forehead.

Abigaile fell silent, digesting what Enzo said. The man wanted to introduce her to his family as their Mother, Tristan, but she needed to talk about this matter with Nico. She doesn't want to keep any single words from Nico because he is an open man and was always there for her through thick and thin.

"I'll think about your words," Abigaile replied as she darted at Enzo, who was waiting for her answer. A flash of euphoria lingers in his eyes but suddenly disappears in the words she has added. "I'll talk about that matter with Nico. I'll hit you up once we have talked about it."

Abigaile tried to blink twice because she caught the sight of Enzo expressing an emotion

that was trapped with immense pain. Abigaile's heart skipped a beat for obscure grounds. When she stared at him for the second time, his eyes were stern and solemn while thinking about something.

"All right, Ms. Lewis, I'll wait for your prompt response." He said, grimacing. Abigaile felt strange within her heart, perhaps because this was the first time Enzo addressed her in this manner. When the door suddenly opened, Abigaile's eyes landed on Nico, who was holding the hands of Tristan, who was munching his ice cream.

Abigaile felt her reflex and attended to Nico, who was sweating. She immediately got a towel that was placed on the chair's support. "Nico, what happened? Why are you sweating so much? Did Tristan play hide and seek with you again?"

Nico chuckled and let Abigaile dry his sweat, while Tristan ran to his real Daddy and tried to talk to him, but Enzo's eyes were fixated on the view of Abigaile and how she became sweet and caring to the man in front of her. Her eyes were warm, and she stared at him the way she stared at Enzo six years ago.

"Daddy?"

Enzo let out a chuckle and rose up from his seat. He let out a heavy sigh and stared at his son. He made a fake cough and glanced at his wristwatch as he acted cool. "I have to go. My brother was looking for me." Abigaile nodded while Tristan waved him goodbye. He glanced at Nico and nodded at him as a gesture that he would be heading out. Nico nodded as a response.

Enzo couldn't compel himself to look back at Abigaile's area since he couldn't disguise the sorrow plaguing him. Enzo gave a small smile as he walked away. Years ago, Abigaile was the one who cared for him in this way, telling him about her future plans, but now she has shared her dreams and hopes with Nico. Their memories were like paper planes; they were cast into the sky and lost in the wind until the paper planes sank into the epicenter of nowhere and were forgotten.

"You seemed bothered about something, brother. What's the matter?" Jason, Enzo's older brother, asked as he sat beside Enzo. Enzo had been quiet ever since he arrived from the day he excused himself in the middle of their meeting that he had a more urgent matter than the meeting.

After that, Enzo seemed troubled and always in deep thoughts about something. He would wake up, dress up, attend gatherings and work at home; however, he seemed down and soulless. Jason couldn't withstand the sight of his brother acting like this; he needed to corner him and make Enzo confess what was causing his drop shoulder and behavior as if the world didn't revolve around him any longer.

"Nothing, maybe. I'm just exhausted these past few days." Jason didn't like what his sharp ears heard. Enzo wouldn't sigh after; he replied if that was the real reason behind it. So, Jason leveled his head at his brother, arched a quizzical brow and his kin eyes so that even a criminal couldn't spit any alibis, and sprinted.

"Enzo, Brother of mine, do you think I was born earlier than you to be an idiotic man?" Jason asked as he punched his brother's waist with enough force as compensation for Enzo's explanation.

Enzo heaved a deep sigh, and his eyes blazed with anguish. And then, he opened his mouth to speak the truth that stirred up his brother's mind. "I have a child," he stated.

Jason's mouth dropped open, and when Enzo's statement was evident in his mind, he whacked his brother on the head and said, "The fuck, bro! Did you screw several women and impregnate one? Remember to use an umbrella when you rummage a woman's vagina! You can't just spurt through and drill your flings!"

"That's not it!" Enzo hissed at his brother's sudden outburst.

"I have a child, and guess what, I just knew days ago that he existed. His name is Tristan, and he is six years old." Enzo's brother, Jason, seemed to notice that Enzo wasn't joking around. He cleared his throat, making a fake cough. He still couldn't believe that his brother had a child this early.

Jason's forehead creased as he massaged his temple to ease the tension he felt upon knowing that his brother was the first to have a child than him, who was older.

"Wait, give me a moment to breathe," Jason remarked as he took a deep breath and looked at Enzo. "I never imagined you'd become a father this early. I assumed you'd joke around, but seeing you bothered, that's big trouble, brother." Jason raised an eyebrow as he patted his brother on the back.

Enzo shook his head and grinned, "No, it wasn't a trouble, I'm glad that he existed, and Brother, he came from me, and he is my child."

"Say, who's the mother?" Jason asked. He wanted to know who the woman that his brother impregnated was. He would indeed be happy if he knew the woman. Jason took a glass of water that one of the maids had served earlier and drank it.

"It was my ex-girlfriend, Abigaile Lewis," Enzo said defiantly, with a statement of fact.

"What the fuck, Brother?!" Jason's eyes almost popped out as he spewed the water he drank, coughing, and his gaze flashed to his brother in disbelief. He couldn't believe it; Abigaile Lewis had been every man's dream on campus when they were in high school. She wasn't like the other woman, who was ferocious, vicious, and had the manner of flirtatious. Her demeanor as an aspiring living lawyer and modern nerd made her stand out among the rest of the population of girls in their school.

Jason placed his index finger on his chin as if he thought that Abigaile Lewis was his brother's longest girlfriend for the record. And he believed that Abigaile could make his brother blinded by the concept of love and tame Enzo, but he just heard the news one day that they got separated. At first, Jason didn't believe it, but as he saw his brother dating another woman after their breakup, he thought it, and since then, Jason never heard any news about Abigaile.

"H-how come that shit happened?!" Jason exclaimed.

"I don't know; Abigaile just called me one night. She told me to meet her the other day, and then he introduced Tristan, telling the child that I am his father." Enzo explained solemnly, reminiscing how things happened suddenly. He met Abigaile unexpectedly after six years. He had the chance to talk to her, and then, in an instant, Enzo became a father.

"Say, brother mine, are you sure the child was yours? I know Lewis is a clever girl but were you certain that the child is yours?" Jason asked with confusion.

Enzo picked up his phone from his pocket and showed a picture of Tristan that he had taken when they were strolling together in LA. He extended the phone in front of Jason. Jason immediately picked it up and even placed the phone near his sight as if he couldn't believe what he had just witnessed.

"Holy molly grail, son of a gun! Just shit, brother! He looks like your mini-version! No one can't deny the fact that you two were blood-related. Look at those eyes! Those features! I feel bad for Lewis because your genes won the race of life!" Jason reckoned while laughing, and then, later on, his mood changed as if he was having a hard time believing every confession that Enzo made.

"W-wait, damn it! Enzo Robinson, I think I will be having a hard attack now because of your sudden revelations, you rascal!" Jason yelled in frustration as he combed his fingers through his hair.

Enzo tried to get his phone from his brother, but Jason glared at him as he took his phone out. "Wait! Give me a fuckin moment. Allow me to have my niece's picture. I am a proud Uncle here!" So the two of them were messing with each other. Enzo doesn't know who the older between him and his brother is because Jason can be childish sometimes and hard-headed.

When Jason was done copying Tristan's pictures, Enzo saw how Jason made his son's picture become his brother's wallpaper, and then Jason fired him a question that caught Enzo off guard.

"So, what's the current score?" Jason asked while putting his hand over his head.

Enzo doesn't know what Jason means. Jason sneered and repeated his question. "I wasn't informed that being a father can make a person dumb." He taunted.

Enzo glared at his brother, who seemed to enjoy his situation. Jason raised his hand in surrender and spoke once again.

"I'm asking you if you already settled your misunderstanding with Lewis in the past." Enzo gulped and nodded his head as he avoided the analytical sight of his brother, Jason.

"Then, what did she say? Did she accept your apology or brush you off because of her ire? Girls are the lost members of Amazon, you know? They look docile outside but can tear you up using their claws-like nails."

"She told me everything that happened to her six years ago, how she bore Tristan alone, suffered, and cried. She has given up her dreams for our son. I can't imagine seeing her suffering alone while listening to her. My conscience eats me alive. I am a

jerk and irresponsible father for not being there when she raised Tristan alone, fed him, and watched him grow up as a normal parent did." Jason could feel the frustration and agony in his brother's voice. This was the second time that he had seen Enzo like this. The first was when their mother left them, and her father died of depression.

Enzo palmed his face; imagining Abigaile experiencing those adversities alone felt like a thousand needles plunge Enzo's heart. He was there, waking up every single day, continuing his usual life, but Abigaile, in the latter part, was struggling to think how she could raise

Tristan without a father.

Enzo tells his brother all the difficulties that Abigaile had been through. Enzo could see Jason's hint of shock and sympathy for Abigaile upon hearing about the woman's life in Chicago.

"She was sent away from her parents, and I got her pregnant at fifteen. I am a jerk back then. I didn't know that broke her plans and pieces to the point that she experienced those painful sleepless nights and dark past." Enzo could feel

the tears on the edge of his eyes. He wiped it harshly as he remembered how Abigaile cried in front of him while telling her past, raising Tristan alone, bravely.

Jason tapped his brother's shoulder again to make Enzo feel that he was beside him, making him think of his brotherly support. "Perhaps, the reason why fate made your paths collide was to rewrite the past and stand as the second chance for you and Abigaile?"

And there, Enzo grimaced and told his brother what was bothering his heart. "If that's the case, I'll be grateful if Abigaile will give our relationship another shot. I'll make up for everything with her and our child. I worked hard to become a better person, not the Enzo she met before, but the Enzo Robinson who would do anything to rectify my mistakes and heal the scars I left in Abigaile's heart, but..." Jason noticed Enzo's voice trembled into a sob.

"It's too late, brother; she already had someone she could gaze fondly at. Make all the gestures she has done to me in the past and tell me about her future goals. I'm afraid I'm too late, brother," Enzo bowed his head and wiped away his tears. "All I can do right now is to be a better father for Tristan, but my relationship with Abigaile will never be the same.

Enzo puffed for air and grimaced in front of his brother. Jason knew how Enzo could smile and fake that he was fine, but his eyes couldn't lie; they were filled with pain from his regrets.