[My childhood sweetheart said I’m his one and only baby
They reveled in their carefree happiness, leaving his wife and unborn child far behind.
So, when I told Asher that our child was gone, he didn’t believe me, and only scoffed.
“Don’t be so dramatic. I just forgot about the prenatal appointment yesterday. It’s not that big of a deal. I’m just too busy and forgetful these past few days. Don’t worry. I’ll take a day off tomorrow to go with you.“%
“Where are you now? I’ll come get you.”
I ignored him and hung up. He called several more times, so I switched off my phone.
When I finally returned from the beach, the first thing I saw outside the airport was Asher’s car parked by the roadside. He rolled down the window, his gaze indifferent as it settled on mell
“So you still know when to come back, Avery,” he sarcastically spat. Clenching his jaw, he added. “You’re pregnant; you shouldn’t be wandering around like this. My mother’s right–you should stay home.”
He frowned, his eyes falting to my belly. I wore a loose, flowing dress, which hid everything from his gaze. I got in the car, put on my headphones, and sat in the backseat.
After a while, the car still hadn’t started, Asher was staring back at me with a slight furrow in his brow.
“Why are you sitting in the back?%
I hadn’t quite heard him, so I pulled out one earpod and asked, “What did you say?”
Asher’s expression was unreadable in the backlight, “You always used to sit in the front seat.”)
I lowered my head, letting out a soft laugh as memories surfaced. Like most girls, I had once believed that the front passenger seat was the wife’s exclusive place. But that illusion shattered the day I found a pair of someone else’s thong under that very seat. Since then, just thinking about the front seat made me feel sick!
I thought he’d just asked in passing, but he pressed for an answer.X
I smiled faintly and said, “Nothing. I just realized I was too noive before.”
Asher didn’t respond and midway through the drive, he got hungry and stopped at the restaurant we both loved.
“Thave the Crispy Crab Cake. What about you? Do you still want Lime Butter Shrimp?
I nodded, continuing to scroll through my phone. He tried starting a conversation a few times, but seeing my I eventually gave up 10
When the food was ready, Asher brought them over himself.
“Avery, I remember you don’t like cilantro, so I made sure to pick it all out for you“!
Perhaps he thought he could bridge the distance with a plate of food, his tone now gentle and considerate !!
But I simply stated at the plate in front of me, completely devoid of cilantro, and chuckled
lack of interest, he
“Avery, I remember you don’t like cilantro, so I made sure to pick it all out for you.
Perhaps he thought he could bridge the distance with a plate of food, his tone now gentle and considerate. But I simply stared at the plate in front of me, completely devoid of cilantro, and chuckled.
In the six years of our mariage. I’d always eaten Lime cilantro was Camilla
Butter Shrimp with extra green onions and cilantro. The one who couldn’t stand
Ignoring him, I got up and quietly asked the owner, “Could you please add some cilantro?”
Asher froze mid–bite, realizing something, and his face shifted slightly.
“Tm sorry, honey,” he said with a sheepish smile. “I guess I’ve been so busy lately that it completely slipped my mind. How could I forget you like cilantro!“:
I looked at his sloppy acting with mild amusement and let it pass without comment.
After we finished eating, we passed the intersection where my accident had occurred. Even though it had been over two weeks, thinking about it made my chest ache.
After six painstaking years of trying, I’d finally conceived–only for the life I carried to end in that crash. It had taken my love and marriage with it!
[a
Taking a deep breath, I sent a quick message to a lawyer friend, [Help me draft a divorce agreement. I’ll treat you to a meal soon.]
Suddenly, the car jolted forward as Asher pulled the handbrake. “We’re home.“2
He got out to help me with my luggage, while I continued to type on my phone, making my way upstairs.
As I opened the door, what should have been an empty home was filled with the sound of light footsteps.
“Asher, you’re back? Camilla trotted over, wearing my nightgown and two rabbit–ear clips in her hair. Her smile froze when she saw me at the door
Avery
Seeing her innocent–looking face, a wave of anger surged in my chest.
Before I could say anything. Asher hurried to explain. “Honey, Camilla’s just staying here for a few days.7
This wasn’t the first time. We’d argued more than once in the past because of her presence in our lives. But now that I was set on divorcing him, I actually felt a strange calm.
Forcing a smile, I moved to go past her and head to my room–until the sight before me stopped me cold!
All my belongings had been thrown out, strewn in a heap by the door. My clothes and cosmetics lay scattered like trash, and my designer handbag, which I had saved three months‘ salary to buy, was tossed against the wall, scratched deeply by something sharp.
