Broken Promises

**Allie's POV**
I waited patiently atop the stairs, straining my ears in curiosity with my knees hugged to my chest when I heard her voice.
Sophie.
It was quiet, but if I listened close enough, I could make out her words. Did I feel guilty for eavesdropping? Hell no. She shouldn't have even been here.
"Oh, hi."
"Um, hi." He paused, clearing his throat. "What're you doing here, Soph?" Ugh. His use of nickname made me bubble with annoyance.
"Well, I heard you were fixing to leave England, so… Well, I thought I'd give you something, first." I heard a little bit of shuffling, followed by a lot of silence. Finally, after far too long, Nate broke the mute tension.
"You… you don't need to give this back. I gave it to you."
"But it's meaningless, now. Now that you've found some rich American girl, instead…" She didn't sound bitter, but rather dejected. What the hell was she giving back? And what did she mean by 'instead'? Nate said it was years ago that they dated. Was he lying?
"Soph…" He sounded pained, and it reverberated into my very heart.
"Save your pity. Please." She said, with tears evident in her voice. "I just… I want to move on, already. Forget about… this." Suddenly, the door squeaked slightly, and Nate's voice came out muffled, as if he were… holding her.
I couldn't make out his final words to her, but judging by how they were whispered, I had a feeling it was intentional, and another few seconds later the door was shut.
And I just sat there, my fingernails making imprints on my knees as they shook. I had the sudden urge to cry for no goddamn reason. He had just said goodbye. Both of them did. So why the hell did it hurt so bad?
Why did it feel like I was even further away from Nate than I was weeks ago? Was this what giving someone your heart really felt like?
I was freefalling again. Vulnerable. Just like before. And it was fucking terrifying.
I heard Nate sigh before calling my name. But I couldn't bring myself to respond. Things had changed between us. This was no longer some detached contractual arrangement. I was his real wife. His pregnant wife. And our vacation away from reality was coming to a close.
Soon, I would be back in New York. Shit, two hours from touchdown I was expected to see my father. Why?
Why did we have to leave?
The cameras, the packed schedules and events, the large empty apartment. I didn't miss a damn thing about it. I wanted a normal family for once.
I wanted what Nate had.
But I didn't belong here, in this world of blissful simplicity. I'd known nothing but the shutters of cameras and designer gowns. Maybe Sophie's return just reminded me of that.
I was the rich American girl.
Before I knew it, my tears were soaking my chilled skin as his large arms snaked around me.
"Hey." He cooed, brushing my stray hair over my shoulder. I could feel the thumping of his heart against his chest, the sensation soothing me.
Yes. This was what giving someone your heart really felt like. It was scary. He had the power to break me. But… he also had the power to heal me. To make me feel like I was worthy of being loved, of being purely desired and cared for.
"Talk to me, love." His hands settled on my shoulders as his golden eyes sought mine. "Did she upset you? Or is it something else?" This was what I loved about Nate. He was so damn sincere. I sniffled, tugging at his shirt.
"I don't know. This is all just new to me… And I feel like I can't control my feelings which makes it shittier. You existed before me. I know that. But I didn't expect pretty British girls coming in and returning gifts to you." I stopped, because even I realized how petty I sounded. But he smiled, gently caressing my cheek.
"You heard, then."
"Sorry." I mumbled, but he didn't seem mad. He merely sighed softly, withdrawing his hand to dig into his pocket.
I don't know what I expected the mysterious gift to be, but it certainly wasn't that.
In the center of his palm was a worn-out, tattered remain of a braided string bracelet. The color was mostly faded, but it was once teal and yellow.
"This is it. What she gave me." He was damn near bashful, his head angled down as he took in the seemingly worthless treasure.
"Why? What is it?" He blinked slowly, telling me he was trying hard to formulate his response.
"A promise." He finally declared timidly. Promise for what? He met my eyes with hesitation, and I knew immediately what he was telling me, but he knew I needed to hear it. "Back when I was small. Hell, maybe twelve. Well, I made her this bracelet. I told her one day it'd be a ring. One day she'd be mine forever." He paused, casting his eyes to the floor. "I didn't realize she was still hanging onto it. We ended things a long time ago."
Fuck, it stung.
Not only was it some metaphorical promise ring, but she was still waiting for him after all this time. Hoping he would stick to his promise.
But I bought him before she got the chance to see it through.
Suddenly I felt sick, but not to my stomach.
In my chest. I ached with guilt. I'd never felt more unworthy to have him before.
But as if he could sense it, he took my hands gently in his, dropping the charm to the hardwood.
"I was a kid, Allie. I don't love her."
"How do you know? How can you be sure? What if I didn't bring you the contract? She could've been your wife. She could've made you happy!" I was sobbing now, but he wiped away my trickling tears, smiling adoringly.
"She would've never been my wife, love."
"But-"
"She fucked Cooper while we were dating."
What.
My tears stopped, my jaw dropping open.
"Oh my God." I muttered. That seemingly sweet looking girl cheated on him? With his own fucking best friend?! "But… Cooper…"
"He didn't know we were together. We'd just returned from University for the summer and she threw us a party. He got smashed and… well…" Nate's smile was weak, and the sight of it was heartbreaking.
How the hell could this man still speak to that girl after that betrayal? How could he be cordial and kind after everything? Suddenly, a new wave of emotion washed over me. My hands fisted in his, making him tense.
"What a bitch." I growled. He was the nicest, gentlest, most wonderful man in the whole fucking world and she had the audacity to cheat then throw a pity party that he didn't take her to the alter? I was trembling, but this time in rage. I'd never been in a cat fight before, but I sure as hell wanted to, now.
"It's history." Nate's chuckle was killing my fire, but it was welcome all the same. His hands ran up my arms, making goosebumps sprout beneath them. "Come on, baby. Why don't we finish what we started?"
"You can't just distract me with sex, mister." I chastised, but he raised a challenging brow.
"Can't I?" He rasped, his eyes aglow with arrogant mischief. "I have a rather exciting thing to show you today."
"Something new?" He knew exactly how to get me interested. I loved exploring sex with Nate. In fact, it was what we had been doing ever since the discovery of our pregnancy, and it was incredible.
Nate licked his lips, trailing them to my mostly exposed chest.
"Yea. It might not work, but if you're willing to try..." He trailed off in question, meeting my eyes once again.
"You know I am. What is it?" The corner of his mouth lifted to a grin as he pulled me close. My body hummed at the proximity. He was close enough to taste, and damn did I love tasting him. "Come on, tell me." I urged, running my hand up his tee shirt, tracing my fingertips over his chiseled abdomen sensually. He licked his lips again, studying my face.
"This one is better left a surprise, my love."