Page 199 of Falling for the Wife

Gathering a team of lawyers, I made sure they ironed out a proposal that would give me partial custody of the child. As tempted as I was to punish her by trying to get the child fully off her hands, I didn’t want my daughter or son growing up without their mother. A mother’s love was important from what I had heard. I couldn’t apply my own experience with that theory since mine was a totally selfish, self-centered woman who only cared about herself. Therefore, disregarding my own personal experience, I still believed Kimberly a fit mother, despite her choices. She spoke so highly of her family, and I had to base her family loyalty and love off that.

My set rules were not negotiable, and I wanted to stress that out in the contract. If I had to use my name, my power, and money to get what I wanted, then so be it. Kimberly had crossed the proverbial line two days ago. There was no going back after that, only forwards, and this was how the future would be played out between us.

Seven lawyers all gazed up at me as I spoke, detailing precisely what needed to be done just as Gino, my assistant, strode into the room, momentarily halting the meeting.

“Signore …” he said guardedly, clearing his throat. “There’s been a recent development, and with all due respect, I believe you must hear it.”

He believed? Since when was he the decision-maker of my life?

Reeling my impatience in, I blew out a breath before asking, “What is it?”

Throwing a quick glance towards the swarm of lawyers before straying towards me, he wanly gave me a look. “Signora Gallo had an emergency this morning, and her husband called me to inform that she won’t be able to come in the meeting tomorrow since her doctor recommends that she doesn’t overexert herself and be overburdened with stress. Apparently, the stress is too much for her and the baby.”

I completely stopped breathing. Kimberly and the baby were in danger? My mind couldn’t wrap around the idea.

“She’s in the hospital?”

He meekly nodded. “Yes, and Signor Gallo asks if you could not visit, because that might worsen Signora Kimberly’s condition.”

I only nodded because my throat felt too constricted to utter a response.

My mind raced as I pictured her in the starch linen hospital beds, worried about the baby’s health.

It was my fault she was in there in the first place. It was because of my sudden proposal or possibly when Gino phoned a couple of hours later, setting up a meeting for tomorrow because I was adamant to have a resolution for this situation.

My hastiness had caused all of this. It was my fault our child was in danger at this very moment. It was because of my selfishness and wanting to hurt her; that was why she had been put in this condition.

None of it made me feel better. What had gotten into me? This was my child.My fucking child.I had to protect it at all costs. No matter what, it was my responsibility.

Kimberly went out of her way to hurt me, but how long must I keep going on this way? Though the hurt was too much to bear, I admitted I was beyond drained from it all. How long must I crusade in this tiresome manner?

She wanted happiness; I knew that. Maybe I should simply swallow my pride and do the right thing, and that was to fully let her go to live a life without me threatening in the corner or hounding ceaselessly.

Besides, considering our situation in a different light, what could I really offer the child? I wasn’t the best candidate to be a father. It wasn’t as though I knew how to take care of it to begin with. Even if I hired the most qualified nannies, it wouldn’t be the same. With her, she already had a family. The baby could grow up in a secured, caring environment, free from confusion, away from the drama my life could bring. Away from me, the baby would be shielded from the media, from the maddening craziness of my mother, and the chaotic life I led.

My train of thought had led me to one solution that would make everything easier for her. Could I truly give her up as well as our child? Could I be a selfless man? Could I grant her the life she craved?

Yes,my mind answered itself. I still loved her, and if this was the last thing I could give her, then maybe I should. Our baby would benefit from it.

I was a fucked up man. I didn’t want my child to be influenced by me. I wasn’t worthy of it. I wasn’t worthy of them, of having them as a family.

Maybe truly loving someone meant to let them go to be with the person they ought to be with. In this case, it was her husband, Anton Gallo.

Difficult as it was, I knew I had to let her go. For the baby’s sake, I had to set aside my pride and my emotions. For my baby, I would do anything, even if it meant giving up the vengeful emotion that had persisted and plagued my life from the moment Kimberly had betrayed me.

“Draw up a contract,” I demanded. “I’m withdrawing everything—all of my rights. Give her everything, and I mean every single thing she desires and everything she might yearn for in the future.” I could afford it, all of it.

“But, Signore …” one of the senior lawyers spoke out, unsure about my hasty decision. “Are you sure about this? Why don’t you take a day or two to think it through? I advise that you do because, once it’s signed and sealed, it can never be undone.”

I had never been so sure in my life.

“Do it,” I replied, sealing my fate.

Sette

It took perseverance and complete discipline, but gradually I had come out of my hiding, unhurriedly breathing in life and letting the outside world back into my apathetic existence. For an entire month, I had to crawl out of my damned hole and live life the way I had used to.

In a way, it was liberating, but there was still that side of me that would always hanker for Kim and the baby. Nonetheless, I had made a decision to make life for her and the baby better, and it was one choice I knew I must keep. If loving them from afar was the only way I could do it, then I had to stand by it.

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