Chapter 5

Aubrey held onto my arm, and my whole body tensed. “You are lucky that I am carrying your child. He is going to smart like me. And, will surely go oversees for higher studies. I will make sure of that.”

She again brought up her pregnancy. Even when she knew that I was having a hard time processing it all.

“Take care of yourself, Aubrey, you heard what doctor has said. But you said you will think about changing the doctor. I don’t think he has much experience. The doctor Hazel was seeing last time works in this hospital too…”

“Don’t even mention her pregnancy. She lost that pregnancy. I am comfortable with this doctor only.”

“Fine, if you think you are comfortable…” But cutting me off Aubrey was quick to demand again.

“When are you going to divorce Hazel and end your current marriage? This child needs a proper identity and acceptance from his father. You know what I mean?” Aubrey was fixed on this thing.

I was somewhat distracted. The warmth of Aubrey’s arm was irritating me. I felt no compassion for her.

Whenever she touched me, I felt nothing but disgust. Years ago, when Aubrey used to touch me, my heart would threaten to jump out of my chest, perhaps my feelings had changed for her, and it wasn’t like before.

I was sleeping with Hazel whenever I wanted someone. I am not the man anymore who goes out to look for the next hookup.

I was always satisfied walking out of my home. Perhaps, I have really turned into a boring married man.

I slowly got my arm out of her grasp on the pretext of trying to drive my car properly.

Aubrey knows that I am a married man and it is not appropriate touch me like this.

But I didn’t say much because she had spent a difficult time in Germany and wanted some stability.

Hazel was all I could think about. She looked different. And, even brought up the idea to leave me? How could she leave me? This is not how a marriage works.

I was already worried for the past weeks thinking how to break this news to Hazel. I was expecting a baby with Hazel and I was expecting for her to understand.

Hazel had always said yes to everything and for a part I had already imagined her acceptance. But nowadays, I was seeing a different version of her. What was bothering her?

“I think we will change the biggest room in the ground floor to a beautiful nursery…” I raised my brows and was reminded what was irking Hazel the most nowadays.

It was Aubrey.

She was difficult to deal with as a guest. At least, this is what Hazel believes for now. I could only imagine her reaction when she would get to know that Hazel was here to stay forever.

Because I can’t possibly ask the mother of my child to not live where my child was living, and I also couldn’t stay away from my baby.

Perhaps, Hazel had always known how much I wanted to be a father. There was a chance she could cut me some slack.

I had never worried about Hazel. She had always accepted no matter what I threw at her. My mood swings, taunts or improper times to demand, sex, food or other chores.

In these three years, I hadn’t even picked a glass of water for myself.

And, even then I had told her several times that she shouldn’t forget from where she had come. It was my way to keep her docile and keep doing the stuff for me.

But now I was asking her for a lot. And, Aubrey can’t seem to see that. Or else, she wouldn’t have made Hazel’s life difficult. Can’t she see that I don’t want to leave Hazel?

I sighed wondering how Aubrey would react after learning that I don’t want to leave Hazel. Even if she can’t be pregnant or complete the pregnancy to the term, I needed her. She was a perfect wife.

She is someone who had kept me satisfied and merry for the last three years. I wasn’t letting her go.

I am used to Hazel trying to be my peace. But with Aubrey in the house, everything was changed.

I had never cheated on Hazel. There was no reason to cheat on Hazel.

I agree that she isn’t someone I could introduce in my circle but how was I to explain to my circle that Hazel was the best wife one can ever ask for.

A few weeks ago, Aubrey came to US and called me crying on the phone. I quickly reached the address of the hotel she gave me.

She told me how hard it was for her in the Germany because people there weren’t kind to her because she was a foreign student. She even said that she was going to commit suicide if I hadn’t reached there.

It seems no one she knows from before was here anymore. And, she was not left with any option but to call me.

I gave her a shoulder to cry on, made her have her dinner but the drinks afterwards got a little too much.

I don’t remember a thing about what had happened after that. The next morning, I didn’t have any clothes on, and Aubrey too was lying naked beside me.

I tried to recall what actually happened that night but couldn’t think of anything. I tried to tell Aubrey that this night meant nothing because I am married but she again started talking about committing suicide.

I kept the contacts with her only for her to reveal in three weeks that she is pregnant with my child.

I was waiting to get my life back to normal with Hazel once Hazel learns the whole truth. I know she would understand. It wasn’t like I was divorcing her or accepting Aubrey.

I know I am not a great husband when it comes to cherishing this marriage with words and actions. But Hazel and I have a perfect home going on. At least, my kind of perfect.

I walk into a peaceful home every day so I can go back to run a multibillion-dollar company. Trust me, don’t look at how my wife looks like a mess, my marriage is every man’s dream.

But now learning that Aubrey has a high risk pregnancy too, I wonder if problem lies within me.

I had made Hazel suffer and now I could do the same thing to Aubrey.

“Why aren’t you saying anything? Say something. This is about our child’s future.” Aubrey pressed further.

“I will have to talk to my grandmother about it, and she is currently in a nursing home. I will wait for her to return.” I tried to avoid this conversation.

I am not divorcing, Hazel. I don’t love Hazel. I know that, too. I hoped it could work, but I never really felt in love with Hazel.

But our marriage was thriving. It centered on my priorities. Only a fool would throw it away.

Aubrey couldn’t sit still. Her gaze fell onto the gift bag in the backseat. Before she could pick it up, I pushed the gift bag further.

“Is this for Hazel? Did you buy this for Hazel?” Aubrey asked with a grin.

“Yes, Hazel is my wife. And she wanted the same doll I gave you, so I bought a spare one.” I said with my eyes on the road.

“So, did you give me the spare one? Or you are giving your first wife the spare one?” Aubrey chuckled.

“What do you think?” I smiled looking at her. I had lied. I gave the spare one to Aubrey.

I accidentally ordered two. It was my anniversary gift to Hazel.

“Do you have feelings for Hazel?” Aubrey asked,

“No, oh…I don’t.” I denied too quickly and firmly, as if cutting it off only because I didn’t want to think about it.

But how could it work with both Hazel and Aubrey? It was childish and selfish to think that I could keep both women under one roof.

Even though every work out of Aubrey mouth was annoying me, it was the truth of today that she was the mother of my child.

I had to think clearly. Also, this marriage with Hazel was a mistake from the beginning.

But somewhere in my heart I knew I couldn’t let go of Hazel. She had to accept Aubrey. And, to some extent I believe she would accept Aubrey.

Our marriage was her whole identity now.

Hazel was my mother and grandmother’s favorite. She was a daughter to them they never had. And, Hazel liked me since childhood even though she knew it was all one-sided.

Even though I tried to explain to my grandmother that Hazel had drugged me, and schemed this one-night stand, she didn’t listen to me one bit.

I am sure Hazel shamelessly begged my grandmother to force me to marry her.

Hazel already knows that this marriage was to end someday. And I think it is also the reason that she had already been transferring different sums of money from our supplementary cards to a specific account.

I could not tell this to my grandmother because it would hurt her.

I didn’t confront Hazel because it would seem that I am stopping my wife from spending. But I also don’t care what her phone is old or she is taking the buses. I knew she wanted to win my sympathy.

Too bad for her, I already know that she has amassed a good wealth and is only acting up to get my attention.

And, even though I tried to recall the reasons why I should leave Hazel, I couldn’t help but realize I am comfortable with this routine.

No matter, how vile or scheming this woman is, she had become my comfort.

And, when a man is in comfort, he kind of become blind to what his woman is up to. Because this is what being woman is, right? Lying, planning, manipulating and saving up for the future mishap.

And, with this I was back to how perfect Hazel was.

I only went to bed with her when I wanted to, and I know I am an ass in a way, but that also does not change the fact that Hazel is nothing but a gold digger who used me to get into a wealthy family.

I got a call from my hospital, but I ignored it.

By the time I reached my mansion, it was already dinner time.

I had the gift box in my hand, and Aubrey went to freshen up. She clearly didn’t want to see me giving a gift to Hazel. And, I kind of understand.

I expected to see Hazel by the door just like every other day to greet me, but she wasn’t there.

The dinner table was set, but I could tell from the look of it that Hazel did not set the table.

It’s been three long years, and I haven’t missed one dinner at home. Whenever I come home, Hazel had already prepared the dinner, set the table and was waiting for me by the door.

Even though I rarely acknowledged her efforts, she would still prepare the meals for me because she knew about my stomach problems.

Hazel treated the dinner as a ritual, and it was what kept our marriage together.

I looked around but took my chair because I was famished by now. The whole night and a day in the hospital had taken a toll on me. And, I was missing Hazel’s food.

I was expecting Hazel to just appear any moment but the moment I looked at the meal I asked the butler.

“Did Hazel prepare this meal?”

“No, Sir. She did not.”

It was obvious. It didn’t look like her prepared meal too.

Before I could ask anything, Aubrey appeared from the back and placed a hand on my shoulder,

“Shall we go out to eat something spicy? I am craving spicy food, but Hazel makes everything so bland. This way, we can celebrate our good news too, finally.”

I held her hand to remove it from my shoulder, but the ring on her finger caught my attention. “Where did you find this ring?”

I held Aubrey’s hand so tight that she winced in pain. “Ahh...what is wrong with you?”

“Where the hell did you find it, Aubrey? How can you wear it?” This wasn’t funny. I quickly removed the ring from her finger.

It was the only nice thing I bought for Hazel since we were married, and she never took it out of her finger.

“I found it at the corner table.” Aubrey had tears in her eyes. But I couldn’t care.

I stood up and looked around that table. I saw a paper on the floor. My heart was beating fast now.

Hazel could not leave me. She could not divorce me. But it was her writing, and I could not believe the words she left for me.

She only did this to get on my nerves. I knew that Hazel would never divorce me. She was only mad that I gave our master bedroom to Aubrey.

In reality, the master bedroom had no significant importance to me. It is just a place to sleep.

I was always going back and forth between hotels and company. I occasionally slept in that bedroom with Hazel. I was always in my study room working.

And, most of the time, we had sex there, in my study.

But that room meant something for Hazel for sure. Perhaps I should explain the situation quickly to her. A thought crossed my mind.

But why should I do it when she wants to play childish tactics?

My mind was conflicted. But then I saw a few drops of blood on the floor. The blood was close to the same table Hazel had hit her belly in.

My thoughts began to race. It was the same place where Hazel hit herself. Was she hurt?

At the same time, my phone rang. It was the hospital again.

I answered, “Yes, are the reports in?” I knew it was about Aubrey’s blood work.

“Mr Ricci, your wife left the hospital. She is already at risk of having a miscarriage. Bring her here right away.” The doctor said on the other side.

My eyes widened. “What miscarriage?”

“When your wife arrived, she was bleeding. She said that she fell. Don’t you know about it?...” And, I could hear the storm thunder. “…well, she needs to stay in the hospital and rest here so we can observe her.”

The phone slipped from my hand. I felt speechless.

I could recall her disappointed gaze. Hazel had mentioned her pregnancy. The way she touched her belly, she was scared for our child.

I should have believed her. I should have known. Instead, I didn’t believe her and left her on her own.

I completely lost my calm and yelled, “How could you not see Hazel leaving this house? Why didn’t you all inform me?”

I quickly grabbed the phone and dialed for Hazel. But her phone came switched off.

I got frustrated. I could not leave Hazel and my child to die. And why would she leave the hospital? How could she be this stupid?

But where could she go? Her whole world revolved around me.

I called my assistant and ordered the moment he picked up, “Find my wife. I want to know where she is, right now. I want her back. Do you hear me? I want my wife back. Find her soon, like right now.”