Chapter 44
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HER eyes widened until they almost popped. Her chest heaved as she leaned forward across her thighs, her palms pressing hard into the polished wood.
“You what?” she asked, her voice laced with shock and fury “You want to be a wife? To someone who already has a wife p>
Vivian leaned back against the sofa, her shoulders relaxed as if she had rehearsed this conversation a hundred times in her head. A slow sneer tugged at the corner of her lips.
“Of course,” she said, voice smooth and deliberate. “Is anything wrong with that p>
Claire nearly choked.
“Anything wrong with that? Vivian, are you even listening to yourself? You are talking about destroying a family, tearing apart a marriage, shattering a child’s home. And you are asking me if there is anything wrong with that p>
Vivian crossed her legs elegantly, picking up her wineglass again and swirling the deep red liquid.
“Families break all the time, Claire. Marriages fail every day. I’m not doing anything new p>
“New?” Claire repeated, almost laughing at the madness of it. “Oh, so now you have baptized adultery with fancy words? Listen to me and listen well, you need to get rid of that thing in your womb before it destroys you, him, and everything.
Vivian’s face darkened. Her smile vanished, replaced with a sharp glare. She set her wineglass down with a deliberate clink.
“That thing?” she hissed. “Claire, don’t you ever call my baby that. Don’t you dare. This-” she placed a hand over her belly, her voice trembling but firm, “-is a blessing. A miracle. And nothing, not even you, will make me destroy it p>
Claire stood abruptly, the chair screeching against the floor. Her fists clenched at her sides as her eyes burned holes into Vivian.
“You are insane. Do you know that? Insane! You think this child is some kind of a golden ticket, some key that will magically unlock Adrian’s heart for you. Let me tell you something, he is not leaving Amelia for you. He never will.” 1
Vivian rose too, closing the space between them, her chin raised in defiance.
“You don’t know him like I do. You have never seen the way he looks at me, the way he holds me when he is tired and drained. I have been his peace, Claire. For three years! Amelia only drains him. With me, he breathes p>
Claire shook her head vigorously, biting down a bitter laugh
“Peace? Vivian, you are delusional. What you are doing isn’ peace, it is poison. You are now doing more than poisoning his home, his marriage, his child. You have been nothing but a shadow, and a substitute. And sooner or later, he might get tired of you too. Just like every man does when the shine wears off p>
Vivian’s nostrils flared, but she refused to back down.
“Say whatever you want. Insult me, mock me. I don’t care. This baby is mine and Adrian’s, and I’m keeping it. Whether Amelia likes it or not. Whether you like it or not p>
The room felt suffocating, the silence between them crackling with hostility.
Claire grabbed her purse from the couch, slinging it over her shoulder with quick, angry movements. She turned to Vivian one last time, her voice sharp as a blade.
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“You are making the biggest mistake of your life. And when it all comes crashing down, because it will, I won’t be here to catch you. Mark my words, Vivian, if you don’t get rid of that child, everything you think you have built will crumble on your head p>
Vivian stood rooted to the spot, her arms folded across her chest, her chin still lifted in pride.
“Well, let it crumble,” she said coldly. “I will still be standing. And so will my baby p>
Claire glared at her, trembling with rage, before storming out of the apartment. The door slammed behind her, leaving Vivian alone in the tense silence.
Vivian exhaled deeply, her hand once again drifting to her stomach. Her eyes softened, though her lips curved in a bitter smile.
“They don’t understand,” she whispered to herself. “They don’t understand that this is destiny p>
Mrs. Harlow and Hazel were on the couch. Hazel lay curled up, her head resting on her grandmother’s thighs, her wide eyes fixed on the cartoons playing on the TV. Mrs. Harlow absentmindedly stroked her granddaughter’s hair, her mind elsewhere.
She had tried Amelia’s number countless times, her thumb almost numb from redialing, but each time, no answer. Worry lined her face. The last time Amelia spoke to her was when she had dropped Hazel off, her words hurried and edged with pain as she explained what Adrian had done. Since then, it was silence.
Mrs. Harlow sighed, her gaze drifting back to Hazel, when the little girl’s tiny voice cut through her thoughts.
“Grandma?” Hazel whispered.
“Yes, darling,” Mrs. Harlow answered gently, brushing Hazel’s hair behind her ear.
Hazel turned her face upward, her small brow furrowed.
“Is mommy okay p>
Mrs. Harlow’s heart clenched.
“Of course she is, sweetheart. Don’t you worry. Mommy just needs some time to rest p>
“But… she looked sad,” Hazel insisted softly.
Mrs. Harlow forced a smile and tapped Hazel’s nose.
“Sometimes grownups look sad when they are thinking too much. But your mommy is strong. She will be okay p>
Hazel nodded, but her eyes betrayed her doubt. Mrs. Harlow gave her a reassuring pat and pulled her closer.
When Hazel’s focus drifted back to the cartoon, Mrs. Harlow resumed her calls. Just when she was about to give up hope, Amelia finally answered.
“Oh! Ame, I have been calling,” Mrs. Harlow blurted in relief, quickly excusing herself. She stood and walked toward the hallway that led to the back veranda, away from Hazel’s listening ears. She didn’t realize someone else would be able to overhear.
“Mom,” Amelia’s voice came, heavy and tired.
“Where are you, Ame? I have been worried sick p>
“I just needed space,” Amelia said with a deep sigh. “Mom he didn’t just cheat on me. He got her pregnant.” Her voice cracked on the last word.
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Mrs. Harlow froze, gripping the phone tighter. Amelia hadn’t said this last statement to her, hence her shock.
“What? Adrian… no, no. I can’t believe this. All these years, praised him. I defended him. And now this p>
“He betrayed ine, Mom,” Amelia whispered. “It feels like my whole world just collapsed p>
Mrs. Harlow’s voice softened, though her disappointment was clear.
“What he did was wrong, Ame. Totally wrong. But please, don’t act out of anger. Take things easy. Think carefully about every step. You have Hazel to consider p>
Amelia sighed.
“How is she p>
“She is fine, darling. Just asking of you and her father. You must be strong, Amelia, if not for yourself, then for Hazel p>
There was silence on both ends, heavy and thick with pain. Finally, they hung up.
Mrs. Harlow leaned her head against the wall, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
Just then, there was a sharp sound behind her, like someone clearing his throat. She stiffened and turned sharply, her heart nearly leaping out of her chest.
Standing there, arms folded and eyes sharp, was Claire.
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Olivia Harris
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.