Chapter 3

Charlie's POV

Astrid shoved me aside.

I struggled to get to my feet and make my way outside, but she had already scooped Naomi into her arms while Ethan fumbled for the car keys.

I instinctively reached out to help, but Astrid pushed me away.

Her angry voice exploded beside my ear. "Charlie, please just stay put! Stop making things harder, okay?"

I stumbled back a couple of steps and crashed into the table, knocking over the plate of pasta.

The front door slammed shut.

I lowered my head. Pasta sauce stained my clothes from top to bottom. I looked as pathetic as this five-year marriage had made me feel.

Astrid was right. All I ever did was make things harder.

I was the one who needed to be taken care of. I was neither a good husband nor a good father. I should step aside and let someone better suited to take over my roles.

I changed my clothes and gathered up what little I had left. When my fingers brushed against the braided bracelet in my pocket, I realized I hadn't given Naomi her birthday present.

Last month, Ethan had casually mentioned it during a phone call. He said Naomi was jealous because her deskmate had a dad who made her a braided bracelet.

I quietly committed it to memory. I stayed up for several nights making one myself, working until two blisters formed on my fingers. In the end, I finally finished it.

Thinking about the look of surprise and delight on Naomi's face, I felt a warmth brewing in my chest. I tucked the bracelet into my pocket and hurried to the hospital.

The nurse told me Naomi's room was on the top floor. As soon as I stepped out of the elevator, I heard Ethan's tearful voice from around the corner.

"Astrid, you can't keep the baby. If Charlie finds out, he'll lose his mind."

I stopped in my tracks.

He continued, "If our hotel hookup text hadn't been sent to his phone back then, he never would've been pushed into depression…"

Astrid tore the abortion consent form to pieces and pinned him against the wall. "We've spent three years making it up to him! I've had enough! I love you, Ethan. I'm keeping this baby, no matter what."

My mind exploded.

The day I received that text about Astrid booking a hotel room with someone, I completely lost it. I rushed to the hotel and tore the place apart, but I couldn't find the man anywhere.

After that, I became increasingly paranoid.

It was Ethan who came rushing over. He forced Astrid to kneel before me for three days and nights. He stayed by my side, helping me through one sleepless night after another.

I cried and told him how lucky I was to have a best friend like him, but there had been something in his eyes that I could never quite understand.

Now, I know what it was—guilt, remorse, and worse, pity.

My whole body trembled.

I started toward them, desperate to demand an explanation, but someone grabbed me hard from behind. I stumbled and crashed to the floor.

Naomi's little hands clamped over my mouth. Her voice was soft but urgent.

"I'm sorry, mister, but Daddy said his only wish is for me to have a little brother. I can't let you ruin Daddy's wish!"

The pain coursing through my body left me completely drained.

All I could do was lie there and watch as Astrid pressed her lips to Ethan's in a deep, passionate kiss.

My vision blurred behind a veil of tears.

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a hospital bed.