Apology Not Accepted

**Bonus Post!  See you all again on Friday!**

My mouth immediately went dry and I debated not answering the door at all.  I hate confrontation almost as much as I hate unexpected visitors.


Manda stood there looking gorgeous and bitchy, as usual.  She had a lot of nerve to show up on my doorstep after our past encounters.  The first time I'd met her, she'd slapped me in my face.  The next interaction with her had been that Facebook message implying she would be parenting my unborn daughter with Michael.  And obviously, I'd seen her last night at Holly's party.  Still, as I stood peering out the peephole at her, curiosity won out and I opened the door (not before pulling up Officer Reilly's number in my dialer, just in case).

She smiled, looking nervous.  This was not a look I'd seen her wear before.  Generally, Manda looked cold, mean and self-assured.  Granted, I'd barely met the girl and she was usually angry with me.

She put her palms up in an "I-come-in-peace" gesture, looking very unsure of herself.

"I'm sorry to show up like this," she began, tugging at a loose tendril of her long blonde hair. "I had no other way to contact you.  You blocked me on Facebook and I don't have your number."

I pursed my lips, sizing her up.  I could think of no good reason for her to be at my front door.  I could only assume Michael had sent her to avoid another TRO violation and risk an arrest.  I shrugged one shoulder, feigning disinterest and annoyance.

"Can I help you?" I asked coolly.  My tone made it clear that I was not happy and didn't appreciate the intrusion.

She sighed, her delicate shoulders heaving.  Manda took a shaky breath before continuing.

"I'm just...sorry.  I really am.  That message I sent you was really uncalled for.  Michael never mentioned the restraining order, either.  I had no idea you'd be there last night, but I'm not sure if he did.  The cops showed up at his house this morning but he wasn't arrested.  The whole thing really freaked me out.  I realize now that I'm in over my head.  Michael is a great guy, until he's not.  My eyes are open now.  He's toxic and falling apart.  I can't help him and I don't want to.  After my fiancé and I split up, I started hooking up with Michael.  It was supposed to be casual, ya know?  But he pulled me in, and then you came up pregnant, and then he lied to me and painted you as this horrible person.  He told me that you're destructive to your body and the baby, that you get drunk and fuck around with strangers despite being pregnant.  He told me you'd abuse the kid and we had to step in.  I'm such an idiot, but I believed him.  I know now that it was all a big fucking lie." Manda was rambling, looking tearful and afraid.

I stood silently, processing everything she had to say.  A small part of me understood where she was coming from.  Michael was charming and genuine, caring and soft spoken.  He was an easy man to trust and fall in love with.  Hearing Manda repeat his lies turned my stomach.  No wonder she's always such a bitch to me.  I'd treat someone poorly, too, if I'd heard half the things that Michael had said.

"You don't have to forgive me or believe me, but I had to tell you these things.  I'll never bother you or contact you again.  I'm done with Michael and his manipulative bullshit.  You did the right thing, ya know.  Leaving him and getting a restraining order.  He's...unstable.  His parents aren't even speaking to him anymore.  I don't want to take up anymore of your time, I just had to get this out.  I'm sorry."

I still hadn't spoken a word in response to her revelations.  I couldn't be certain she was being truthful, but her tone and body language seemed genuine.  I struggled to find something to say.

"I appreciate you coming here to apologize," I tried to sound diplomatic and unemotional, "but I do not want to see you again.  I'm trying like hell to move on and get my life together.  I'm so tired of all of this.  Again, thanks for telling me these things, it will be of interest to my lawyer.  But I do not want you to contact me in the future."

Manda nodded in understanding.  I felt bad for her, but couldn't shake the feeling that she's a wolf in sheep's clothing.  What could she possibly expect to gain by coming to my home?  As I locked the door behind her, I sighed.  I opened my laptop and documented the date, time and content of our conversation.  Thankfully, I'd be moving out of Kate's apartment within 3 days.  Granted, it was still the same apartment complex, but it'd be a completely different building.  I even sprang for a garage to park in so my car wouldn't always be visible to people like Michael and Manda.  I had already informed the leasing office of my issues with Michael and the fact that I had a restraining order against him.  They had promised that my address and personal information would never be revealed.

I quickly finished documenting my encounter with Manda and saved the file.  I could feel a tension headache forming and hoped Eric would arrive soon.  He knew just how to massage my neck and shoulders to help me relax.  With a smile on my face, I browsed Facebook.  My phone buzzed, lighting up with a text from Eric, letting me know he had arrived.

I grabbed my purse and headed to meet him.  As I got in his car, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched.