He Lost Me Over A Child That Was Never HisChapter 1
After twenty years of a child-free marriage, Charles Davis suddenly returned home with a seven-year-old child.
When I dug deeper, I uncovered the truth: he had been secretly supporting another woman, and she was pregnant again. Even my mother-in-law, who should have been enjoying her retirement, had moved in with her, personally tending to her during the pregnancy.
I lost all composure when everything came to light and confronted Charles in a heated, heart-wrenching argument.
Relatives and friends tried to reason with me.
"Why make such a big scene? You've been married for twenty years. Honestly, we understand Charles. A man needs an heir. Unlike a woman, he can't live without roots…"
Tears blurred my vision as I stared at Charles, who stood silently. He was already in his forties, yet time had barely touched him. His face was still strikingly handsome and well-maintained as if he had never carried the burdens I had.
"You can bring the child home. That is the greatest compromise I can offer."
Charles grabbed his car keys and walked toward the door. I thought my words had settled the matter, that he had silently agreed.
But just before stepping out, he reached up and took down our wedding photo from the entryway.
"Eleanor went through the agony of carrying my child for ten months. It wasn't easy for her. I won't abandon her to fend for herself."
His gaze met mine, cold, indifferent, stripped of the love I once knew.
"If you can't accept them, then from now on, I'll spend odd-numbered days with her and even-numbered days with you."
My fingers curled into fists. Any lingering hope that we could mend what was broken crumbled instantly.
"In that case, let's get a divorce!"
——
The room fell into a suffocating silence. Even Charles, who was about to shut the door, stopped in his tracks.
He turned back slowly, his expression unreadable, lips pressed into a thin line.
"Natalie… don't be ridiculous."
Tears burned my eyes, but I wiped them away, refusing to let them fall.
"I'm not being ridiculous. Charles, let's divorce."
His face darkened, his gaze sharpening as it settled on me with a mix of disbelief and reproach.
"Natalie, it's been twenty years. Why are you still so stubborn?"