“You’re just jealous! Jealous that she’s having my baby!”
1 closed my eyes. I didn’t even have the energy to argue anymore.
So that’s what he thought.
All my hurt, all the pain-to him it was just pathetic jealousy.
“Go to sleep. And stay away from me.”.
Behind me, David let out this coldugh, mean and mocking:
‘Don’t worry. I wouldn’t touch you anyway.”
In the dark, he rolled over, his voice like ice:
‘Soon as Mom and Dad leave tomorrow, we’re going to city hall.”
curled up on the edge of the bed, staring at the cake on the table with its hardened wax, and all those little blessing notes scattered around.
My fingers shook as I picked one up. It had a smiley face and said in kid handwriting:
Happy Birthday Ms. ckwell! May you soon be blessed with a healthy child!
Those words hit me like poison darts, piercing straight to my heart.
Everything went blurry, but the memories came back crystal clear.
That one year, I’d been so excited holding that pregnancy test, telling him we were having a baby.
He was prepping for his promotion defense back then. His face suddenly scrunched up:
Rachel, now’s not the time for a kid. Get rid of it.”
used to be a spoiled rich girl.
For him, I gave up everything-myfortable life, followed him to this tiny city, became a teacher.
Looking at his tired, ambitious eyes, I ended up doing what he wanted. Got on that operating table.
The second those cold instruments went inside me, he held my hand and promised:
Just wait a little longer. When I make it big, when I can really take care of us, I’ll give you a baby!”
The moonlight outside was harsh and white, lighting up all his shiny trophies and certificates on the wall.
Distinguished Psychologist,” “Department Head,” “Outstanding Achievement Award”…
Now he’d made it big.
But that baby was growing inside some other woman.
And here I was, lying in this cold, empty bed.
Staring at my students’ innocent wish for me to “be blessed with a healthy child soon,” choking on that dream he’d crushed so easily years ago.
A bitter smile crept across my face. It tasted saltier than tears.
The next morning, we took his parents to the train station.
Right before getting on, his mom grabbed my hand, all serious:
Rachel, you really need to have a baby soon. That’s what matters.”
His dad nodded along
“Yeah, learn from Emma, She’s pregnant and you should take better care of her.”
They said it like they were just tossing me some random little chore.
I smiled:
‘Don’t worry. I’ll definitely learn’ from Emma.”
Learn how to be ‘independent’ and how to ‘thoughtfully take care of someone else’s husband.”
lis parents’ faces went stiff. They wanted to call me out, but David rushed them onto the train.
he second the doors closed, David’s anger just exploded.
le whipped around, his face dark as hell:
Rachel! What the fuck was that?!
Mom and Dad hardly ever visit, and you had to give them attitude? Do you have any sense at all?!”
le went off on me like always, so practiced at it. <fn559b> For original chapters go to FindN()vel</fn559b>
looked up at him, my voice totally calm:
I just told the truth.
But you-in ten years of marriage, have you visited my parents even once?”
lis face froze. For a second he looked totally busted, then he got even louder to cover it up:
What kind of bullshit is that? Didn’t you cut ties with your family? They don’t even im you as their daughter anymore!”
Cut ties?”
repeated those words like I was chewing on ice.
David,” I stared straight into his shifty eyes, saying each word slowly, “is that really what you think?
Or is it that in your mind, my parents were never really your parents?”
le got defensive and blew up, his voice shooting up:
Why are you bringing up old shit and fighting about this? Don’t you want to get divorced anymore?”