CHAPTER 144

CHAPTER 144
POV MATTHEW

Elizabeth looked at me with a confused expression, as if searching for answers I couldn’t give her at that moment.

“I know,” she said, standing up and drawing my attention. “But we need to talk.” I took a deep breath and looked at her. “You left last night and didn’t come home, Matthew. Where did you spend the night?”

“I was with Henry. I ended up drinking too much and spent the night at a hotel.” She looked at me suspiciously. “I was alone, if that’s what you’re wondering,” I said seriously.

“All right, Matthew.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “But…” I interrupted her, already knowing what she was about to say.

“Liz,” I stood up and walked toward her. “Please, not this subject…” Her eyes filled with tears. “I’m still not ready to face this situation, and I don’t know if I ever will be. It’s hard for me to know that my wife is carrying another man’s child. And the worst part, Liz, is that I got a vasectomy for you—not because I didn’t want more children, but because you couldn’t have them anymore after that complicated pregnancy with Elena. For our safety, I chose to do that damn vasectomy. And even so, you were careless and got pregnant by someone else. It’s just too much for me, Elizabeth.”

She looked at me with those sad eyes, her gaze full of tears.

“But it might be yours, Matthew. As long as there’s even a one percent chance, I’ll keep hoping,” Elizabeth said, her voice breaking.

“We both know it’s not mine, Elizabeth,” I turned my back and ran my hands through my hair. “I wish I had that one percent chance you have… but I don’t. I’m sorry,” I said seriously, with my heart in pieces.

“Are you coming home tonight?”

“I don’t know, Elizabeth,” I turned to look at her. “Honestly, I don’t know.”

“What do you mean by that?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“I mean I’m not ready to deal with this yet, and I just need some time…” I held her face in my hands. “Just some time, Elizabeth,” I said, looking into her eyes as tears streamed down her cheeks. I wiped them with my thumb and gently caressed her face.

“How much time, Matthew?”

“I don’t know. I need to think. And I promise, once I’ve got my head straight, I’ll come to you.” I took a deep breath. “What would you do if my betrayal had resulted in a child? Would you accept it?”

“I don’t know, Matthew. Because this child I’m carrying isn’t the result of a betrayal—at least not mine,” she said, taking a deep breath. “But I’ll give you the time you need. Take care.” She lowered her head and walked out crying.

As soon as she left, I sat on the couch and buried my head in my hands… trying to think, trying to put my thoughts in order—because honestly, I didn’t know what to do.

What hurts the most in all of this is having confirmation that she was in another man’s arms, in another man’s bed—who knows how many times. That another man touched her body, that she surrendered to someone else. I knew this could happen. I was fully aware she might have slept with someone else. But what I didn’t have before was certainty—now I do. All this time, I tried to convince myself that she had only been with me, but now, with a child that isn’t mine, it’s like she’s rubbing the truth in my face—something I had been denying to myself.

I didn’t know what to do. I was confused and torn. I didn’t want to lose my family again, but I also didn’t know if I could raise a child that isn’t mine… not like this…

POV ELIZABETH

Two days later

Two days passed, but they felt like two weeks. And during these two days, Matthew hadn’t come home, and I hadn’t gone to work either. I decided to give him the time he asked for, and if he wasn’t coming home, it’s because he didn’t want to see me.

I have to admit—I've been dying from the longing. The nights have been cold and lonely, and I’ve had to control myself not to go after him. Over these two days, I’ve dedicated all my time to Elena, trying to be more present.

But today, I woke up determined to take care of myself and my baby. The life growing inside me has no fault in any of this and deserves all the attention and care. On top of that, I feel guilty for having drunk so much last weekend—I might have harmed my baby. Thinking about that, I scheduled my first prenatal appointment with the same OB-GYN who took care of me during Elena’s pregnancy.

But the earliest available appointment is in two weeks, where I’ll also have my first ultrasound, and I’ll finally find out how far along I am—and who the baby’s father is.

(...)

After putting Elena down for her wonderful afternoon nap, I took a shower, put on a black lace bralette and white shorts, and went out to the garden. I sat on the grass and tried to relax my mind with some meditation.

But a few minutes later, I was interrupted by my mother.

“Liz, phone call for you.” I opened my eyes and gestured, asking who it was. “It’s Matthew. He said he tried your cell, but you didn’t answer.” I quickly grabbed the phone from her hands.

“I left my phone in the bedroom…” I took a deep breath and answered the call. “Hi, love. Are you okay?”

“Hi, Elizabeth. We need to talk.” His voice was cold over the phone.

“I can come to you if you want!” I said, feeling a knot in my stomach.

“No. I’ll come by the house at the end of the day. After thinking long and hard, I’ve made my decision.” His tone was cold again.

“That’s good, my love. I just hope you made the right decision.”

“I’m sure I did. That’s why I asked for time—I didn’t want to decide in the heat of the moment and regret it later. I have to go now. See you later.”

“Matthew, wait…” I heard his breath on the line. “I love you, okay? Please don’t forget that.”

“Okay, Elizabeth. Good afternoon,” he replied coldly and hung up.

The way he spoke scared me. A terrible anxiety crept into my chest. Something inside me was screaming that he wasn’t okay. I was afraid of his decision.
But I’ll try to save my marriage.
I won’t give up on us—not without a fight.