The Child I Carried Secretly

Freder

t, steam clinging to his skin. He saw me, phone still in hand, his face draining of

s a harsh whisper, laced with panic. He l

mmered, trying to regain control, trying to turn the tables. My gaze drifted to his th

y voice eerily calm. "It was ringing." The lie tasted bitter, but

ight. Sorry. I just... you know how sensitive I am about my wo

ransparency, about how we were partners in ev

usly soft, "how was that 'work dinner

. we made some progress. It's a tough client, you know. A lot of

hen another, until my pillow was damp. I c

g me in a hug that felt more like a cage. "Oh, baby, I'm so sorry. I know I've been distant lately. Wor

wave of sobs racking my body. "Everything

with what looked like genuine sorrow. "I'm so sorry I wasn't here for you yesterday. I should have been. I really am the worst." H

y that twisted my gut. There was a tender sadness in his eyes, a desperate

red everything. It wasn't just a feeling; it was a tangled web of habit, dependency, and convenience. He might

clear. Our lives were too intertwined, our company, our finances, our entire futur

oarse, but firming with a ne

ise. "Kandy? What are you talking about? She's just an intern, a kid."

e more potent than any accusati

want. I'll... I'll let her go. You're right. She's too young, too... distracting." He paused, then looked a

ought. We'll s