A Love from the Past

"You what?" Paul asked.

"We share a daughter," Dex repeated.

"And where the fuck were you?" Paul wanted to know.

"I was sent back to Tria before Shella could tell me and one of my aids conspired with her father to keep me from finding out. I assure you, if I had known, I would have been back as fast as I could get here," Dex answered.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Paul asked Shella.

"I was scared. I didn't know if you'd stay or if you'd leave," Shella answered, rubbing her forehead; she could feel a headache coming on.

"For making a mistake?" Paul asked. He could feel the daggers shooting out of Dex's eyes.

"You should have told me," he added. "I'm hurt that you didn't trust me enough not to tell me," he said.

"I'm sorry Paul," Shella whispered.

"I need some time Shel. Why don't you see if Jason and Tina will let you stay with them," Paul suggested.

"You're kicking me out?" Shella asked, saddened but not surprised.

"For now," Paul confirmed. Shella went into the bedroom, packed a large duffel bag full of clothes and hurried from the apartment.

"Shella!" Dex called, following her.

"What the fuck gives you the right to come turn my life upside down?" Shella shouted.

"You had my child Shel and you don't think that turned my life upside down?" Dex pointed out.

"It wouldn't have if you had just stayed the fuck out of town!" Shella reached into her pocket for her keys and swore under her breath.

"What?" Dex asked.

"I left my keys inside," Shella said. She walked back over to the door and tried to open it; it was locked. Shella sank to the floor and began to cry. Darius walked over to them and gave Dex an, "I told you so" look before picking up Shella's bag.

"Shella, come with me," Dex said gently.

"I'm not going anywhere with you," Shella hissed.

"Shel, we'll take you to Jason's," Dex told her, emotions clawing to get out. Shella looked up and saw Darius standing there.

"Hey beautiful," Darius said with a grin. Shella found herself smiling back.

"Hi D," she whispered. Dex reached for Shella's arm and she pulled away from him.

"Here Dex, make yourself useful," Darius said, thrusting the bag into Dex's arms. He reached for Shella's hand and when she took it, led her to the town car.

"I'm not sitting in back with him," Shella told Darius. Darius grinned and opened the passenger door, shutting it carefully when she was situated inside. This was going to be an interesting visit.