“You think coming here and apologizing solves it? Do you think it’s going to ease my pain? The pain you inflicted on me?” I yelled at him, my chest burning with all the pent up anger, waiting to be unleashed. Ashton reached out to touch me, but I slapped his hand away. Hurt flashed in his eyes, but I couldn’t care less. “I’m sorry, Helen. I promise to do better. Please, give me a second chance.” I scoffed. What a joke! “We are divorced, Ashton.” Ashton shook his head as if willing himself not to believe what I was saying. “I never sent you divorce papers, Hel. And…” he trailed off while I stared at him with creased brows. “We aren’t divorced. I never signed my part.” ***** For three years, Helen tried to be the perfect wife despite being labeled as incompetent, barren and worthless. She put up with her husband’s ignorance and mother-in-law’s insults for the sake of maintaining peace and keeping her marriage. But what she didn’t expect was a video of her husband in bed with his secretary on Christmas Eve when she planned to break the news of her pregnancy to him. And worse — His secretary threw a divorce paper which her husband had drafted at her face and asked her to beat it. When she couldn’t take it anymore, she left and returned six years later with dashing triplets. But what she didn’t expect was her husband wanting her back. As if that wasn’t enough, she was about to find out that there was more to what happened six years ago, and everything she thought she knew…were all lies. Will the holiday spirit be enough to bring them together again?
View MoreI stared at the pregnancy test results in my hand, tears rolling down my cheeks in torrents. I was a month gone. I felt relief wash over as more tears fell, my heart pounding with joy and gratitude.
Finally, after years of struggling with infidelity, I was pregnant. I couldn’t help but smile through the tears, a warm sense of joy filling me up.
I had tried everything, consulted the best doctors, undergone countless tests and procedures, and still, nothing had worked.
Until now. I looked up to meet the friendly gaze of our private doctor, who smiled at me.
“Congratulations, ma’am,” she said, holding my hands, her face beaming with genuine happiness for me.
Who wouldn’t be happy for me? My life had been nothing but bruises and thorns after three years of marriage with nothing to show for it.
My marriage was on the verge of collapse. Ashton, my husband ignored me like I was some kind of plague, and his mother—hmph!—his mother was the worst.
She made it her day job to maltreat and hurl hurtful insults at me, and I’d willed myself to endure it all.
It was all going to end now.
“Thank you, doctor,” I said, squeezing her hand. “Thank you so much. I can’t believe this is happening.”
The doctor nodded, her expression understanding. “It's a miracle, ma’am. And a blessing. I know this has been a difficult journey for you.”
I nodded, a sob catching in my throat. “It has,” I whispered. “I just… I didn’t think it was possible anymore. I was starting to lose hope.”
The doctor gave me a gentle smile. “But now you have a new beginning, a new chapter in your life,” She said, her voice soft and reassuring and I was grateful for it. “You're going to be a mother, and that’s something to celebrate.”
I nodded, trying to hold back another wave of tears. “Yes, you’re right. I should celebrate this. It’s Christmas tomorrow after all…which makes it even better.”
The doctor nodded with a smile and I stood to my feet. I couldn’t wait to tell Ashton about this. I could only imagine the look on his face when he sees these test results.
This was the best holiday ever.
I made my way out of the hospital, and approached the car. The driver stepped out and opened the passenger door for me. I smiled, breathing in the chilly air and entering the car.
The drive home was a blur of emotions — Joy, relief, and a sense of anticipation swirled in my mind as the cityscape rolled past the car windows. Christmas decorations lit up the streets, a stark contrast to the cold night.
I smiled to myself, imagining Ashton’s face when I told him the news. Would he be happy? Excited? I shook my head, banishing the doubt that threatened to creep in.
He had to be happy. This was everything we’d been hoping for.
As the car pulled up to the driveway of our home, my heart fluttered.
The driver opened the door, and I stepped out onto the snow-dusted driveway, the cold air nipping at my cheeks. My breath came out in puffs of white as I walked towards the front door, my mind racing with possibilities.
The house was quiet, and I paused at the threshold, gathering my courage. I took a deep breath, then pushed open the door.
“Ashton?” I called out, stepping into the foyer. “Are you home?”
Silence.
That was strange. He was supposed to be back from work by now. Even though he was hesitant, he had agreed to spend Christmas Eve with me.
Did he change his mind?
I shook my head to dismiss any form of negative thoughts swirling in, and took a deep breath. A chill crept into the air as I stepped into the living room, the Christmas lights twinkling on the fireplace mantle. The Christmas tree I had decorated with so much care sat alone in the corner, its lights casting dancing shadows on the wall.
“Ashton?” I called out again, my voice barely above a whisper. I checked all the rooms in the house but couldn’t find him and had to return downstairs again.
I brought out my phone and was about to dial his number when my eyes caught something.
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I’d been holding. There, on the coffee table, a folded piece of paper caught my eye. I snatched it up, eager to know what lies within.
As I unfolded the paper, a smile crept onto my face. In Ashton’s neat handwriting, a message: “I'm running a bit late. Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll definitely be home to spend Christmas Eve with you. Please, make dinner. I’m starving.”
A flood of relief washed over me. He was just late. He hadn't abandoned me. And I couldn’t help the warmth I felt after reading his note. He sounded different—like really different—because the Ashton he became after I couldn’t get pregnant wouldn’t speak to me so nicely.
He wouldn’t even leave a note.
I recall how we first met. It was in College. I was just a freshman majoring in Arts and Theatre while he was in his final year, majoring in the same thing. We met on the set, acted in the Romeo and Juliet play, and fell in love. He was the best thing that had happened to me. His mother loved me, and after I graduated, and he took over the family’s business, we got married.
But after two years—after I couldn’t conceive—he changed. Everyone changed except his father who still supported me.
I didn’t realize a tear had rolled down my cheeks and dropped on the table, snapping me out of my reverie. I wiped my eyes, determined to put these thoughts behind me. I had something to celebrate, after all.
I flitted around the kitchen, humming Christmas carols as I prepared Ashton’s favorite meal. A hearty beef stew, served with crusty bread and a glass of red wine.
The hours ticked by slowly, my anticipation growing with each passing moment. I checked the time, noticing it was getting late. Where was Ashton? Was he okay?
I tried calling him, but it didn’t go through. The air was becoming even chillier now that he wasn’t here.
“Ashton,” I whispered, my expectant gaze on the door. “Where are you?” I blew hot air into my palms and rubbed them against each other.
Dinner was getting cold, and Ashton was nowhere to be found. I was getting worried; worried that something might have happened to him, worried that he might not make it, and worried that, maybe he just wrote that note to make me feel good, and he wouldn’t be able to make it.
But Ashton wouldn’t lie to me. I trusted him, and I hated that doubts were creeping in.
My phone began ringing, making me jump. I quickly took it and sighed in relief when I saw his name flashing on the screen.
With a cute pout, I answered and placed the phone on my ear. “Ash, where are you? I’ve been trying to call you, but—”
“Oh my fucking God, that’s it! Fuck me harder, Ashton!”
I blinked at the sound that just came out through the phone.
Did I just hear Ashton? And… and… moans?
I brought the phone down to look at the screen again. Perhaps my eyes and ears were playing tricks on me, but it was true.
I could hear grunts, moans, and flesh slapping against flesh.
“Come on, Ashton, fuck me and get me pregnant since your barren wife can’t get the job done!”
My blood ran cold. Ashton…. I covered my mouth with my palms, tears pooling in my eyes.
I felt like my heart had been stepped on, crushed and broken.
Ashton was… my husband was cheating on me.
On Christmas Eve.
While I’m pregnant with his child.
The past few days were a blur.Not fast, not even busy.Just blurry. Like I was walking through everything with smoke in my head. Like my mind was split down the middle, and no matter how hard I tried to focus, I kept falling back into the same place.Helen.That moment outside the school. Her face.The way she looked at me like I was some kind of stranger. Like I was just another man walking through her life, and not the father of her children. Not the man she once gave everything to.I kept playing it over in my head.Kate running into my arms.Helen staring at us like it was a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from.I thought maybe things had changed. I thought maybe time had softened her. That after everything—after all the space and silence—we were finally in a place where we could at least talk. Or at least breathe the same air without resentment bleeding through every word.But I was wrong.So damn wrong.At home, I couldn’t think, I couldn’t eat. I’d stare at my coffee for twe
Getting home, I had their bags in one hand and a bouquet in the other, my heels clicking on the tile floor as the kids rushed ahead into the house like a mini stampede."I got the best medal!" Blake shouted."Nooo, I did!" Kate shouted back, spinning in her dress like she was on stage."I got the gentle one!" Jake added proudly, holding his certificate high like it was a golden trophy.Their laughter echoed through the house, bouncing off the walls, loud and full of joy. I stood at the door for a second, watching them dump their bags on the couch and kick off their shoes.I hadn’t even stepped inside yet. I mean, how could I? My mind was still back at the school.Still hearing Ashton call my name.Still hearing Kate call him "Daddy."Still seeing the way he crouched beside Jake like he’d always belonged there.I shook it off and forced myself to move. I dropped their bags near the table and hung my purse up."Alright, champions," I called out, trying to sound normal, "what do we want
I had just finished with the exit forms and documentation. All the signing, the thank-you speeches, and the staff handshakes. It was official—my triplets had graduated preschool.Kate had gotten glitter all over her certificate folder, Blake had drawn a superhero on his with a crayon he smuggled into his pocket, and Jake had spilled juice on his. A mess—but a beautiful one nonetheless. I was proud. If there was any word other than proud to be used, then that was me in a sentence. We were just about to head out. I had their little backpacks slung over one arm, a bouquet of flowers from the PTA tucked under my other arm, and my car keys in hand."Okay, come on, my little champions," I said, holding the door open.They followed me, all buzzing with energy, their medals jingling like bells as they bounced with each step. Jake was singing something about ice cream. Kate was talking about her dress. Blake was walking like he was on a fashion runway.And then I saw him.Ashton.I stopped w
The office was quiet except for the low hum of the AC and the soft tapping of keys from my assistant’s desk outside. My head was deep in files. Reports. Back-to-back updates from every department. Numbers, projections, deals on the table. I hadn’t even had breakfast. I was reviewing a proposal when the knock came."Come in," I said without looking up.My secretary, Jenna, stepped in holding a tablet. Her hair was pinned up like always. Glasses slightly sliding down her nose."Morning, sir. Just wanted to run through your schedule real quick.""Go ahead.""First, you have a call with the Zurich investors at ten. Then you’re supposed to review the final designs from R&D at eleven. Lunch with the partners is still on at twelve-thirty, and—"She hesitated.I finally looked up. "And what?"She glanced down at the screen. "You’re late for your son’s graduation."I froze.Everything around me went still."Shit," I muttered under my breath.Jenna raised an eyebrow. "Should I cancel the rest
I turned my head to see Rose. She was standing there in a pale yellow dress that looked too polished for a school event. Her heels clicked even as she stood still. Makeup perfect. Smile sharp."You think it’s only your kids that deserve gifts?" She asked again, tilting her head slightly like it was a joke.I stared at her for a second.Then I smiled."Hey, Rose," I greeted her, calmly. "Hope you're having a nice time."She paused, maybe surprised I didn’t snap, but then she quickly recovered. "Oh, of course. It’s such a beautiful event. The decorations. The music. The awards. I just love how they put effort into the little things."I nodded slowly. "Yeah, they really did."She glanced at the stage, then looked back at me. "I mean, look at Henry. Isn’t he just perfect up there? He’s the best in his class, you know. The teachers say he’s reading at a second grade level already.""That’s great," I nodded, still smiling. "You must be proud.""I am. Beyond proud. Honestly, I’ve always kn
It had been a whole week.Seven long days.No calls. No messages. Nothing from Ashton.And even though I told myself I didn’t care, deep down, that silence had a weight. A weird weight I couldn’t shake off. Maybe I expected him to show up. Maybe part of me thought he’d find a way to reach out. But the days passed, and nothing happened.Still, today wasn’t about him.Today was about my kids. The triplets were graduating from pre-school.Prize Giving Day. That’s what the flyer said. I had it pinned to the fridge for weeks. I’d planned for it, talked about it with the kids nonstop. But when the day actually came, I was all nerves and soft smiles. I took the day off from work, even though we had back-to-back scenes at the studio. Mr. Riley wasn’t too happy, but when I explained it was the kids’ graduation, he waved it off."Go celebrate," he said. "They only graduate once. The cameras will wait."So I put on my floral dress—the one Kate said made me look like a princess—and tied my hai
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