The Wife You Thought Was Gone

Masse

ews felt like a cosmic joke, a cruel twist of fate designed to break me completely. How could this happen? Now, of

d to think. On the other end of the hall, near the waiting area, I saw a familiar

tted plant, my heart thumping a frantic rhythm

hed with a rare vulnerability. My chest tightened. Was he fi

ctly to Chase, her hand going instinctively to his arm. He straightened, his posture

ed, her voice hushed, fi

ran a hand through his hair. "Hayden, I can't keep doing this. It's too much. The st

arrowed. "And wh

imes." He looked away, his gaze distant. "She trusts me. She believes me." The w

sharper now. "You promised, Chase. You promised you'd make me you

e her, Hayden. She's my wife. She' s... Cali. My public image. My stability."

ry. He cared about his image, about

he leaned closer, her voice dropping to a seductive whisper. "Denver needs his father. And I need my

g into her embrace. He held her t

ugh me. "I love Denver, Hayden. More than anything. And I love you." He paused, his gaze mee

spot. A flash of triumphant malice, quickly masked. She already kn

th hitched in jagged sobs. He loved me? He owed me? No. He pitied me. I was a placeholder, a conv

y own marriage. My body shook with the force of my heartbreak. This child growing inside me-it dese

nder for my follow-up appointment. I knew what I had to do. With trembling fing

I choked out, my voice raw and

hday. I had completely forgotten. The date, usually

se sincerity. "Happy birthday, my love! I'm so sorry I've been so distant lately. Work

as a flat, to

" he asked, a hint of irritation in his voice. "Cali, I've gone a

you say," I managed, my

. "Look, I know you're upset. But tonigh

e. Another layer of lies to maintain his perfect image. He had no idea. No idea what was coming. No idea t