Chapter 3

3.

"Is your husband going to be an issue today?" Max asked as they walked.

Joanna laughed, a triumphant look in her eyes. "Don't worry. He's stuck in surgery all day."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive. I checked his GPS, and he's been at the hospital since this morning."

I felt a chill run down my spine.

She was tracking me through the fitness device she insisted I wear.

I hailed a taxi and followed them at a safe distance.

The city blurred past my window as my heart sank lower with every turn they took.

Their car stopped in front of a large building.

Joanna got out, clinging to Max's arm as they walked inside together.

My breath hitched when I realized where we were.

It was the Women and Children's Health Center.

I followed them inside, my legs feeling heavy and weak.

Maybe they were just visiting a friend?

But when I saw them check in at the OB-GYN desk, that last spark of hope died.

Joanna leaned into Max, her face lit up with a gentle, expectant glow.

The sign above the door was clear―Prenatal Checkups.

I stood there in the hallway, my mouth dry and my soul crushed.

This was the secret she had been hiding.

I waited by the exit until they came out of the exam room.

Joanna was clutching an ultrasound photo.

As a doctor, I knew exactly what I was looking at.

A tiny life was forming inside her, a black and white image of a future I thought we'd lost.

They were so wrapped up in each other that they didn't see me standing there.

"What about the kid?" Max asked, his voice low.

Joanna smiled and rubbed her belly.

"He has no idea. I've been making sure to keep him happy in bed lately."

"In a few months, I'll tell him it's his. He'll be too happy to ask questions."

I stood in the shadows, listening to her talk about me like I was a fool to be managed.

She sounded so casual, as if ruining my life was just a minor detail in her plan.

I was just a tool to her, a provider for a child that wasn't mine.

I clenched my fists, trying to swallow the rage and the grief.

A nurse passing by accidentally bumped into me. "Careful, sir."

The sound made Joanna and Max spin around.

Joanna froze, her eyes widening in terror as she dropped Max's hand.

Max, on the other hand, glared at me with pure hostility.

Joanna tried to force a laugh, her voice trembling.

"Gavin! What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at work?"

I didn't say a word. I just stared at her with cold, dead eyes.

She realized she couldn't lie her way out of this, so she switched tactics.

She held up the ultrasound photo with a fake, shaky smile.

"I... I wanted to surprise you, but I guess you found out early."

"Gavin, I'm pregnant! Aren't you happy?"

Her smile was dazzling and completely hollow.

I looked at her, my heart hardening into a diamond of pure resolve.

"Joanna, stop the act. I want a divorce."

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