MI

s office, demand an explanation, and notify him about the baby. Mayb

empty room rang with thoughts of what could

stillness. And Alex? He was no longer the person who slept next to me, but a ghost, leaving for day

never did. That's why I had to go into his office. I needed him to hear me; he couldn't ignore me in person.

raced with images of that night, his lips brushing against mine, and his warmth as we laid in bed for the first time. It wasn't love yet, bu

t married, the house was always silent. Since that

I'd never been here before, not formally. Throughout those years, I remained a s

hat the resolution I had

tone too upbeat, too humble. "I'm here to see Alex Reynolds," I stated firmly, although my heart was racing. "Do you hav

fe?" She repeated the phrases as if they were strange to her. She

crept in-and when she glanced up again, her nice grin stiffene

what I already knew: she didn't believe me. She imagined I was some desperate

rfume hit me first, that costly, overwhelming scent I could never afford. That was her. Alessia

of my greatest fear. She was everything I wasn't: elegant, poised, an

ed politely, something she had denied me onl

. She didn't even recognize me as she approached the office from which I had been forbidden. What was I expecting? Alex run out to e

s actual aspirations. I got in the car and sat there for a long time, grasping the steering wheel and fighting back t

ing fun of me. The weight of emptiness crushing down on my chest

confused tangle of concepts that I was unable to sort out. Somewhere

ex 's name. I had to let him know. He had to hear it. Perhaps, just p

th each ring. He wasn't going to pick up, right? Why should he? I knew bette

ss of the empty house surrounding me. I wasn't g

he knot that was rising in my throat. I placed another cal

the words flood from me like a dam bursting. "Please, Alex , don't do this to me. I love you, even though I kn

e. "Alessia..." I whispered. It was not a question. I knew it was her. Her voice was filled with delight, as if she had been waiting for this moment. "Yes, sweetheart. Alex do

y, choked with astonishment and fury. She had no clue what she was saying; she couldn't. "You.

t even bother to take it with him while he's

heard subdued talk and footsteps. Was

ake sure he never get to know abou

esonating in my brain, tempting me. Threatening me. The room suddenly seemed too tiny and suffocating. My chest squeezed, and tears welled in my eyes. I

used the appropriate words, it would remind him of all we had shared. B

it down. No. I couldn't fall apart. Not yet

pregnant and that this was her grandchild. She may not like me as well, but s

ngers. My hands lingered over her contact, but I couldn't bring myself to touch

window and stared through the curtains. Her car. Alex 's mother is here. She emerged, a

me as she hurried by, her heavy scent hanging behind her like a threa

me into the room. "And why are you still here? I e

eper. "You shouldn't have married my son. He does not love you; he never did. The woman he loves is b

ssuming Alessia's post after she departed. Alex was a broken person, drowning in drink, and his father forced me into his

always simply something to get rid of for her.

manner that she had come with. I had thought her to help me restore

divorce papers. Tears flooded my eyes, making the li

continue battling for a someone who had ne

ng go. I was choosing to go away. I packed my belongings-a few shirts and nothing more. I didn't have much, which

e treated like garbage. I had to believe that I deserve

the end of my marriage. It was the beginning of something new and unfa