Page 10 of Enemies, Lovers & A Valentine's Baby

“No,” she croaks.

The feeling that consumes me is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.

Relief, because after what I just saw today, raising a child with this woman is the last thing on earth that I would want to do.

Right behind it is sorrow, and crushing disappointment for the life I thought I was finally going to have.

Just yesterday I was planning a romantic surprise for my soon to be wife and mother of my child. I was excited for the futurethat stretched out in front of me. A future with what I thought was the most amazing woman in the world.

Now, all of that has been taken away from me.

I look at her now, and I feel nothing. All the love I felt for her is gone. In its place is a hole that I’m positive will never be filled. No—I will never let it be filled again.

Never again will I trust another woman. Never again will I give them this kind of power over me.

I stand, picking up my bags from the floor.

“My best friend is getting married tomorrow. It’s a good thing you hadn’t planned on coming, I guess now I know the real reason why. It wasn’t because you weren’t feeling well. It was perfect cover for you to screw around without me there to interrupt.”

“Well now you can have all the time you need,” I continue harshly. “By the time I get back home, I want every single trace of you gone from my apartment. I hope to God I never, ever see your face again.”

She doesn’t say a word. She can’t.

There’s nothing to say. So she just sits there on the floor crying as I walk around her and make my way out of the apartment.

I know as soon as the door shuts behind me that I will never be the same man again.

The shrill sound of my ringtone causes me to pause in my tracks as I make my way downstairs to get an Uber to the airport. Greg’s name flashes across the screen.

“Hey, man, how’s it going?” he asks as soon as I pick up the call.

I need to keep it together; I can’t ruin my best friend’s big day.

“I’m on my way to the airport now. I have a redeye; I’ll be there early in the morning,” I respond dully.

“You okay, man?” Greg asks. It’s going to be hard keeping this from him. He knows me so well.

“I’m okay. Just tired. It’s been a hell of a day,” I say. Isn’t that the understatement of the century?

“Great. The ceremony starts at noon, so that gives you plenty of time to drop off your stuff at the hotel and relax for a bit before you get over here. I can’t wait to see you, brother,” he says.

I can hear the excitement in his voice, and my heart twists.

“You’re gonna need to take notes so you can see how it’s done. Your wedding’s not going to be too far behind,” he chuckles.

Sadness tugs at my heart, yet I force myself to chuckle along with him.

“I’m getting married, man. I’m really getting married!” Greg whoops.

“Yes, you are, and I’m so happy for you she’s one of the good ones. There aren’t many of them left,” I say.

“I couldn’t agree more, man. I’m a lucky SOB.”

“Yes, you are,” I mutter as I make my way to the waiting car.

“See you soon, brother,” Greg says.

“See you, man.”

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