Chapter 3

I walked out of the office building, and Alexis chased after me, his voice urgent as he apologized, "Melissa, what's up with you today? Is it because of Melody?

"Don't pay attention to her. She's only the marketing manager. I keep her around because she's dedicated at her job. But if you don't like her, I can fire her. Does that work for you?

"Back when I had nothing, you and your parents saw something in me and helped me get to where I am now. So when I meet someone talented, I want to help too. You get where I'm coming from, right?"

Looking at Alexis, with that earnest expression plastered on his face, I couldn't help but feel a wave of nausea.

If I hadn't heard what he said in the office myself, I probably would've swallowed his lies whole.

He hadn't forgotten everything we did for him back then, but this was how he decided to 'repay' us.

I wasn't going to lay my cards on the table just yet.

After all, watching him lose what he cared about most would be the most interesting way.

When we got home, Alexis went out of his way to please me, fussing over my coat and grabbing my bag for me.

He came up behind me, gently working his fingers into my shoulders and neck, still playing the attentive husband.

"Melissa, did you really come home to sleep the night of our anniversary?" Alexis suddenly asked, sounding casual but with something else hidden in his tone.

I didn't get why he'd suddenly bring this up, but I just went along with it, acting like everything was normal.

I followed his lead, answering without missing a beat, "No, didn't we stay at the hotel together that night?"

Alexis suddenly rushed right up to me, his face contorted with barely restrained rage.

I almost wanted to applaud his award-worthy acting.

He gripped my shoulders tightly, fingers digging in as if he could wring the truth out of me.

"I messaged you that night, saying I'd been called into work last minute. Who were you really with?" Alexis demanded..

I kept shaking my head. "No way, that was you. I never saw your message. You even left me a note that morning saying you had to head back to the office!"

"Still making excuses?" Alexis barked.

He grabbed my arms hard, his grip nearly bruising, his frustration boiling over.

"You are quite shameless. Don't play dumb. You know exactly who you were with!" he threw the words at me.

His anger only grew hotter. "This morning, you blew up at me just because Melody tripped into my arms, and then you turned around and stabbed me in the back. The baby in your belly comes from that night, right? Just admit it!"

I just started sobbing. "Honey, you have to believe me. That night, after we had some wine, I honestly can't remember everything.

"I just vaguely recall someone holding onto me, moving me from the bed to the couch, then to the bathroom. But I really thought it was you!"

The humiliation on Alexis's face only got worse. "Do you remember what he looked like?"

"I couldn't see his face clearly. I really don't remember. Please, honey, stop pressing me," I cried, my voice breaking into helpless sobs.

Seeing me break down like that, Alexis stood frozen, his body stiff as a board.

He battled with himself for what felt like ages.

Finally, he wrapped me in a hesitant embrace.

"It's okay, honey. Just get rid of it, and we'll both act like this never happened," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"How am I supposed to just act like nothing ever happened?" I cried out.

Sobbing, I pushed Alexis away.

"I'm sorry, Alexis. I don't deserve you. Let's get a divorce!" I blurted.

Alexis snapped, anxiety flashing in his eyes, "We're not getting a divorce.

"I'm serious, Melissa. I still love you. After all this, I just feel sorry for you, not angry.

"If you really feel bad about it, hand over the trust fund your parents left you. Then, I'll forgive everything.

"About the baby... Let's go to the hospital. We need to get this sorted out, all right?"

At the hospital, the doctor's face was especially serious.

"Mrs. Thompson, you've had several miscarriages, and your uterine wall is already very thin. If you choose to terminate this pregnancy, you could lose the ability to have children for good," the doctor warned.

For a split second, I caught a glimmer of excitement in Alexis's eyes, gone almost before I could register it.

He hugged me close, wiping my tears away and whispering, "It's okay, maybe it's just destiny. Let's have this baby. I promise, I'll love him like my own."

*****

At eight that night, I got a message from Alexis while I was at home.

Alexis: [I'm out with Gerard and the others for a business dinner. I'll be home late. Take care of yourself.]

Almost at the same moment, the doorbell suddenly rang.

I pulled open the door. Gerard was standing right there.

He blocked the door with his foot before I could shut it. "I've got a big surprise for you."

He pulled out his phone and played a video from a night club's security cameras.

On the screen, Melody was nuzzled into Alexis's neck, her posture way too intimate. She was panting as she asked, "Why did you let Melissa find out the baby isn't yours?

"Didn't we agree we'd wait until our kid was grown up before telling her?"