// Continued from HERE….// 

Lipstick? Nick dampened a paper towel and went to look in the mirror hanging in the living room. Smudged, bright red lipstick stood out on his neck. Vigorously scrubbing, the lipstick came off. “Nice. Jesus, Amaro.” He muttered to himself.

It wasn’t what it looked like, as hard as that was to believe. Yes, he got the lap dance. But that was it. When the dancer started kissing his neck, he stopped her and ended the dance. He would never hurt Y/N like that. It was a thought that never crossed his mind.

Elise stirred on the couch, then opened her eyes. “Daddy?”

Nick turned and smiled, “morning princessa. Why did you sleep in the couch?“

“I had a nightmare. I wanted you, but you were gone. Mommy was on the couch”, Elise explained.

Nick picked Elise up. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here”, he kissed her hair.

Elise pulled back, “it’s okay. Mommy said you were getting the bad guys.” Nick’s smile was tight. She lied for him. Nick cleared his throat. “Let’s make some breakfast.”

You closed the restroom door, then leaned against it. A sob escaped your throat. You couldn’t believe that Nick would do something like that. To go to a strip club, but a lap dance? And God knows what else. Oh God, you were going to be sick. You emptied the contents of your stomach into the toilet.

“Daddy made your favorite breakfast!” Elise informed you as you entered the kitchen after getting dressed.

“I’m not very hungry right now”, you kissed Elise. “Why don’t you get changed? We’re having lunch with abuela and Aunt Sonya today.”

“I’m going to wear my new dress. Can I bring Luciana? Can I sleep over with Mateo and Aunt Sonya?” She pouted her lip, “pleeaassee?”

“We’ll have to see, okay?” You smiled as Elise as she skipped to her room.

“Can we talk?” Nick asked when Elise was out of earshot. Right now you couldn’t look at him, let alone talk to him. So your solution, ignore him.

“Y/N. Please look at me.” He grabbed your shoulders gently. When you did look at him your eyes were glassy and red from crying and unshed tears. Nick’s expression softened. “I am so sorry I just left last night. That was wrong.”

Shaking your head slowly you said, “it’s the strip club, it’s the lap dance”, you swallowed the lump in your throat, “the lipstick. That-that is something I can’t get out of my head.” Great no way you were holding the tears back now. “All I can picture is her all over you. Kissing your neck, where I kiss you”, you reached up, touching just below and behind his ear, “right here.”

Nick cupped your face in his hands. “I swear nothing happened. As soon as she kissed my neck, I stopped it.” He explained the whole situation. Nick’s eyes were filling with tears too. He touched his forehead to yours. “I love you.” Tears spilled down his cheeks.

“Nick-”, you were sobbing so hard at his point, you could barely talk. “I-I can’t…”

Nick tried to pull in to his arms, but you pushed against his chest and shook your head. “Mi amor plea-”

“No Nick. You don’t get to call me that.” You could feel the bile rising in your throat again. Pain and sadness were turning into anger.  “You have made mistakes before, but never anything like this. Never anything to hurt me or to make me question my trust.”

Nick shoved his hands on his jeans pockets and hung his head, “I know. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have put myself in that situation. I would never, never…”

“But you did Nick. As soon as you went to that club, as soon as you got that dance…that woman rubbing on you, kissing your neck…God, it makes sick thinking about it.” Taking a breath, steadying your voice, you continued, “reverse the situation, Nick.”

Nick jerked his head up to look at you. The look on his face said everything. “So, should I do what I know what you would do and go beat the bitch down?” You said challenging Nick.

“Mommy! I can’t find Luciana’s shoes!”, Elise called from her room.

“Coming baby”, you called back to her, never breaking your gaze from Nick. “Here’s what is going to happen, Nick. We’re going through with our plans for the day. Our day to day will be the same, as far as the kids and your family is concerned, nothing will change.”

Nick grasped your arm gently as you went to help Elise. “Y/N. I love you. You know that. I’m going to fix this. Please believe me.”