"I wondered how long it would be before you came to see me, Eric," I state, looking over at him as he stands next to my car, his arms crossed against his chest. I unlock the boot, placing my bags in that Tilly sent me to the shops to get because Hope has a temperature. Harley was going to go and get her some Calpol, but I offered as I wanted to get some pop anyway. Hope is a sweet little girl, but I wish she would stop leaving creepy teddy bears tucked into my bed every day. The first night I collapsed into bed only to be freaked out by the teddy with glowing eyes that she left me as a gift. Though every time I ask her about them, she pretends not to know and then runs off laughing. Kids. Though Hope reminds me of Parker, and our growing relationship in the last few weeks. The places we go after school seem to really be helping, and Parker asked if we could go alone next week to the bowling alley. It will be good to give Emilia some time to herself. I know she runs around like a headless chicken looking after our son. I shut the boot and lean against it, knowing Eric wouldn't have chosen to come and see me at eleven in an empty shopping car park for no reason.

"You’re fucking my wife," he bluntly states, and I dislike him straight away. You don't talk about your wife that way, but I doubt very much that he cares for her at all. I can see it almost instantly and hear it in his voice.

"Yeah, but you aren't. What’s the problem?" I reply.

"Stay the fuck away from her," he threatens but doesn't move to attack me. He could punch me if he wants, which I have no doubt he does. I saw Emilia this morning and last night. We can't keep our hands off each other as we make up for the time we spent apart.

"That isn't going to happen. You should give her the divorce she wants," I reply. "You don't love her."

"And you do?" he remarks and laughs. “You left her pregnant and alone, and fucked off for years.”

"Of course, I fucking love her, and I am not explaining my past to someone like you. You wouldn't be here talking to me if you thought I was temporary in her life," I reply.

"I can't get divorced at the moment; it would sink my career. I won't give her up because Arthur gave her to me in exchange for letting him do whatever he wants. I make sure no one ever knows about his work," he says.

"Emilia isn't your toy," I growl out, getting annoyed with this idiot. "She isn't yours."

"But Parker is. I'm on the birth certificate. I'm his dad, and I will take him from her if she leaves me," he threatens, and for the first time, I see him as a threat.

"And I’d kill you if you tried," I say, meaning every word. I've killed for less.

"Keep you and Emilia quiet, and there won't be a problem. Got it?" he demands.

"Eric, you need to think about what the right thing is to do in this situation. You know it isn't you and Emilia staying married when she loves me. I won't stop Parker being in your life, he loves you but Emilia? She deserves to be free to make her own choice," I tell him. “I won’t let you control her. No one deserves that.”

"See you around, Luke," he says, walking off into the shadows of the car park. I watch him go, wondering if he will take any of my advice or if he will continue to be an idiot. I'm pretty sure it is going to be the latter. I get into my car, ringing Emilia's number before I start the car up.

"Hey," she grumbles as she answers the phone.

"Hey sweetheart, you alright?" I ask.

"A little tired," she says, yawning and I realise I might have woken her up. "But missing you."

"I miss you too. Eric just came to see me," I tell her, wanting to be honest and hating that he will be heading back home to sleep in the same house as her. I tighten my hand on the steering wheel, knowing it's irrational to be jealous. She doesn't love him or even like him. Their marriage is nothing but paperwork.

"What?" she asks, waking up for that.

"Nothing bad happened, we just talked," I honestly reply.

"You know I love you for not fighting him, right?" she says, sounding relieved.

"I know, sweetheart. Go back to sleep, I just wanted to hear your voice and tell you," I say.

"Okay, I will. I'm tired. See you soon, Luke," she says, yawning. I say goodbye before putting the phone down and starting my car. I hope one day I will be driving back home, to my real home with Emilia and Parker.