“Don’t turn this around!” Nathan yelled. “I saw you! You’ve always had a soft spot for him, haven’t you? Is that why you’re so eager for a divorce? So you can run to him?”
The hypocrisy was suffocating. It was so thick I could taste it.
I looked at him, my eyes narrowing into slits.
“You’re asking me if I’m flirting with Martin?” I asked, my voice deadly calm. “Just because I hugged him? I was being comforted by him?”
I took a step forward, invading his space.
“Well, with what you’re saying… are you admitting that you’re also flirting with Danica?”
Nathan blinked. The anger in his eyes faltered, replaced by a flicker of panic. He took a step back, his defensive posture crumbling into something that looked pathetically like guilt.
“What? No! Of course not!” he sputtered, running a hand through his hair. He let out a nervous, incredulous laugh. “God, Karylle, you’re twisting everything. I’m just… I’m protective, okay? I saw you with another man, and I got jealous. It’s because I love you.”
He reached out, his hands hovering near my shoulders before he pulled me into a hug. I stood rigid in his arms, feeling the rapid beat of his heart against my chest.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured into my hair, his voice dropping to that soft, persuasive tone he used to get his way. “I’m just stressed. We both are. I shouldn’t have yelled. I’m sorry, baby.”
“Let’s forget about this,” he said, wiping a stray tear from my cheek with his thumb. “Let’s focus on us. Let’s go prepare something for our baby. A memorial. Something beautiful. And then… when you’re ready… we can try again. We can build the family we always wanted.”
I looked at him, marveling at his audacity. But I was tired. My body ached, my heart was hollow, and I didn’t have the energy to fight him.
So, I forced the corners of my mouth up. It felt like cracking dried clay.
“Okay,” I whispered. “Okay, Nathan.”
He exhaled, his whole body relaxing. He kissed my forehead. “That’s my girl. Get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”
I locked the door and slid down against it, burying my face in my knees.
The next morning, the sun streamed through the sheer curtains, mocking the gloom in my heart. I was sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at nothing, when my phone buzzed.