Tristan Thompson has publicly apologised to Khloe Kardashian for causing her ‘heartache and humiliation’ after a paternity test revealed he has fathered a child with Maralee Nichols.
The basketball star, who shares three-year-old daughter True with the Kardashian sister, said he was ‘so incredibly sorry’ for his actions in a social media post that addressed her directly.
Their relationship has been on-off and a cheating scandal involving Thompson featured in later seasons of Keeping Up With The Kardashians.
‘Today, paternity test results revealed that I fathered a child with Maralee Nichols,’ he wrote in a statement shared on his Instagram story.
‘I take full responsibility for my actions. Now that paternity has been established I look forward to amicably raising our son.
‘I sincerely apologise to everyone I’ve hurt or disappointed throughout this ordeal both publicly and privately.’
He continued: ‘Khloe, you don’t deserve the heartache and humiliation my actions have caused you.
‘You don’t deserve the way I have treated you over the years. My actions certainly have not lined up with the way I view you.
‘I have the utmost respect and love for you. Regardless of what you may think. Again, I am so incredibly sorry.’
Last month, Maralee, who welcomed a son at the start of December, spoke out onher secret relationship with Tristan after his paternity test was dismissed in Texas.
It marked a win for Maralee, who alleged in another Los Angeles lawsuit that the basketball star fathered her newborn son.
Setting the record straight, she said: ‘Over the past couple of weeks, many inaccurate and false stories have been circulated about me. I have not at any point released, nor have I directed anyone else to release, any information regarding Tristan Thompson or any litigation involving him.
‘I have never spoken to any media outlet, nor have I leaked any information to anyone at any time. I am providing this statement because I feel I must defend my character.’
Maralee added that she has seen ‘fake stories’ and ‘unflattering photos’ of herself in the press, ‘stating an incorrect occupation and age.’
She said ‘instead of focusing on any negativity,’ she is ‘choosing to embrace being a mother.’
‘I do not want any further media attention, nor do I want a romantic relationship with Tristan,’ she confirmed, saying her ‘goal’ is to raise her son ‘in a safe, healthy, loving and private environment.’
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