Page 38 of Everything For Love

This isn’t something Amelie has mentioned, not that she needed to. “What’s different about tonight?”

She shrugs and looks away.

“Amelie what’s going on?”

“I don’t think he knew I was there, and I heard him talking to Mommy in her room. He said, ‘did you get rid of the kid yet’ and she told him to be quiet, and then he yelled a bit about how he doesn’t want kids and she’s known this for a long time and how she showed up with one.”

Every fiber of my being ignites with fire. I hate her for putting our daughter in a situation like this, with someone like that man. For disrupting our family.

I pull Amelie into my arms and hold her as she starts to cry. “I’m so sorry,” I tell her, trying to assuage her broken heart. No one should ever hear those kinds of words from anyone, especially their mother’s boyfriend.

“Daddy?”

“Yeah, baby girl.”

“Can I live with you?”

My head nods before I can even form the words to tell her she can. I have full custody and have the final decision. For a long time, I’ve felt the only reason Aubrey wanted Amelie was for money and comfort.

Obviously, it’s not something I can prove.

I get Amelie some dinner and then head into my room to call Talisa and ask her to come back. When she arrives, I tell them I’m heading over to get some of Amelie’s things and tonight should be like any other night, dinner, some television, and then a shower.

On the drive over, I call Aubrey, but she doesn’t answer. I know that someday my mind won’t immediately go to what I think she’s doing with this man, and when that happens, I’m going to rejoice. Because right now all I can think about is my wife cheating on me while I struggle to find a common ground between being her husband, raising one child here and another back home, and questioning what the hell I’m doing.

When I get to the house, even though I have a key, I knock. And knock. Until she opens the door. Her hair is down and she’s wearing one of the kimono robes she loves so much. There isn’t a doubt in my mind I’ve interrupted her.

“Nick, what are you doing here?”

“Where’s Amelie?” It’s one of those low blow questions, but I want her to think our daughter isn’t where she should be.

“I thought she was with you.”

“Did you call to check? To make sure Talisa made it to the apartment?”

“No, I—” I brush by her even though I should respect her space. I’m angry, my thoughts are muddled, as are my emotions. “Nick, you can’t just come in here.”

“I pay the rent on this place.” I point out. “And our daughter is at my apartment crying her eyes out because of you.”

“Look, I admit I didn’t break the news to her that well.”

That’s when I see it, a diamond engagement ring on her finger. She sees me looking at it and drops her hand.

“I can explain?—”

“You really don’t have to, Aubrey. We’re divorced. You’re free to do whatever you want, even though I know you cheated. You know, it all makes sense now that I think about it. You accusedmeto alleviate your own guilt. Pretty clever. What I don’t get is why you brought us all the way here.”

“What do you mean?”

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but our daughter overheard yourfiancéask you if you got rid of the kid yet. Now, being a doctor and a parent, I gotta say that’s a pretty big red flag.”

“It’s not what you think.”

“No, then tell me what it is because our daughter is at my place crying. She was so upset she had Talisa bring her over. What do you want me to say to her, Aubrey? Your boyfriend or fiancé doesn’t want kids, and yet you have two of them.” I begin to pace, pushing my hands through my hair. “You know what this looks like, right? How this feels to her? To me?”

Aubrey stares. Not at me, but down the hall. I follow her gaze and start to laugh. “So, he’s here? Hiding in the bedroom, huh? Not man enough to come out to face me.”

“Nick, stop.”

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