Chapter 45
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045
MRS. Harlow’s heart almost stopped. Her eyes widened as she turned fully and saw Claire leaning against the wall, arms folded, her face painted with satisfaction.
“Have you been standing there, eavesdropping on my conversations?” Mrs. Harlow asked, her voice sharp and
accusatory.
Claire scoffed.
“I was listening, not eavesdropping p>
“Ha! Spoilt child!” Mrs. Harlow spat, shaking her head in disgust.
Another scoff escaped Claire as she stepped closer, her lips curling into a mocking smile.
“So… your Adrian isn’t such a perfect husband after all. He has finally messed up, just like mine jilted me. But unlike me, the wound is so deep.” She clutched her chest dramatically and let out a mocking cry. “Ahhh, Amelia! Poor Amelia p>
Mrs. Harlow’s nostrils flared.
“You dare mock your sister at a time like this? What sort of woman are you, Claire? Always looking for Amelia’s downfall instead of standing by her p>
Claire rolled her eyes.
“Oh please, don’t start. If I’m always looking for her downfall, you caused it. You have always placed her on a pedestal, ‘my Amelia, with her perfect husband, her perfect daughter, her perfect life!”” She mimicked her mother’s voice with biting sarcasm. “Now see? Perfection is an illusion p>
Mrs. Harlow’s chest heaved with anger.
“Don’t you dare reduce Amelia’s pain to your petty bitterness. You have always been jealous of her, from childhood till now. If her life turned out well, it is because she worked hard for it, not because she was spoon-
fed p>
Claire’s smirk faltered slightly, but she quickly recovered.
“I’m not jealous, Mother. I’m realistic. Men are cheats. At least I know that. But Adrian? He really messed up. If he wanted to play games, fine. But to get the mistress pregnant? What happened to respect? Respect for Amelia? For you, his mother-in-law? Ahhh!” She flung her hands in the air. “What a disgrace p>
Mrs. Harlow hissed sharply, glaring at her.
“You will not use my daughter’s pain as fodder for your venom, Claire. Not today.” She turned abruptly and began walking away, her footsteps heavy with fury.
Claire called after her, smirking again,
“Run along, Mother. Go wipe Amelia’s tears. But remember, this time, no amount of your motherly pep talks can glue back her so-called perfect marriage p>
Mrs. Harlow didn’t look back. She simply hissed again and disappeared into the hallway, leaving Claire with her smug grin.
“What? The automobile guy? My gee! That is crazy.” Leonard almost spat his drink, shaking his head in disbelief. His brows furrowed as he pointed a finger at Adrian.
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Adrian slumped deeper into his seat, swirling the untouched glass of whiskey in front of him. His eyes looked distant, almost hollow.
“Leonard, hold on,” Jakes cut in, raising a hand as if to cal things down. He turned slowly to Adrian, his voice low but probing. “But why was Vivian calling you that early in the morning? What was it she so badly wanted to say that she couldn’t wait till later p>
Adrian sat up, rubbed both palms across his face, then let out a breath.
“She told my wife… she was pregnant p>
“Ahhh!” Leonard exclaimed, loud enough to draw glances from nearby tables.
Jakes blinked, keeping his composure but his lips parted slightly in shock.
“Okay… okay. Fine. She is pregnant.” He leaned forward, elbows on the table. “So what is the plan? Is she keeping it? Or is she getting rid of it p>
“I… I don’t even know.” Adrian spread his hands helplessly on the table, his voice breaking slightly. “Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t even know what I want to do yet. The only thing I know right now is that Amelia is mad at me, furious. She took Hazel to her mom’s. She is shattered. And I caused it p>
Leonard blew out a long sigh, tapped the table with his index finger, then sat up straighter.
“Alright, fine. This is simple. Tell Vivian to get rid of the child. But if she insists on keeping it, then fine. You tell her you will be in the child’s life, support him, identify with him, but no funny ideas about marriage. None. That is the line. And she better not cross it p>
Adrian leaned back, exhaling heavily.
“He is right, you know,” Jakes said softly, though his tone was laced with unease. “The deed has been done, and you can’t undo it. The only thing left is to make her your baby mama. After all, you have got just one child, Hazel. So what if you spread your seed a little? It happens. That is how men prove they are fathers, right?” 1
Adrian shot him a look, eyes dark with shame.
Leonard clapped his hands together lightly as though sealing the matter.
“Like I said, tell her to get rid of it. If she won’t, then play the responsible dad card. Whatever they need, provide. End of story. And Amelia? Well… she will eventually come around. Women always do. She will heal with time.” His tone was almost dismissive.
Adrian shook his head, his voice low and hoarse.
“Do you think Amelia would ever forgive me p>
Leonard pulled a face, lips pursed, and shrugged.
“That one… time will tell,
bro p>
Jakes leaned in, his voice firmer this time.
“Think about it, Adrian, It is high time you owned up. You are the man. You married her, not the other way around. You made mistakes, sure. Own them. Stand on them. That is what being a man is p>
“Bro…” Leonard chimed in, tapping the table for emphasis “Just as Jakes said, you are the man here. Tell her you have got a child out there. You are not the first man to do it and you sure as hell won’t be the last. That is life, man. That is all there is to it.” He kept on talking, his voice steady, almost celebratory, as if he were trying to drown Adrian’s guilt in bravado.
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Adrian sat there silently, eyes fixed on the glass in front of him, Leonard’s words echoing in his head. But instead of comfort, all he felt was the crushing weight of reality pressing harder against his chest.
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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.