4. Awkward

THREE WEEKS LATER

GIANNA

~•~

The last three weeks have been awkward. Brandon was much more affectionate than he had ever been since we got married. I knew it was out of guilt, but it made me think I made the right choice by choosing to ignore the affair.

It was like the setback made our relationship much stronger. I hated that I had to live with the fact that my husband knew how it felt to be inside his best friend, but I couldn’t say that I hated the outcome of their affair.

He complimented me regularly, ate breakfast with me every day, came back from work early, and ate dinner with me as well. Sometimes, he even bought presents on his way back from work.

A pair of hands settled on my shoulders and before I could turn around, Brandon placed a kiss on my neck. “Are you coming to bed anytime soon?”

Heat rose to my cheeks, knowing exactly why he wanted me in bed. It was just nine o’clock in the evening and Brandon usually slept late because he was always busy with work.

“There’ll be articles about the news later.” He kissed my cheek, then turned my face so he could kiss my lips. “You can read them tomorrow.”

“I have a conference tomorrow. I won’t have time.”

Brandon sighed and leaned back, but instead of giving up, he rounded the couch and stood in front of me. I didn’t have the time to react before he placed his hands under my legs and back and lifted me from the couch.

I let out a squeal, wrapping my arms around his neck for balance. “Brandon!”

Brandon ignored me, but before he could take a step forward, the doorbell rang. My eyebrows furrowed. Even if it wasn’t very late, it was still night and we weren’t expecting any visitors.

I made a move to escape his hold and check who was at the door but Allison, who had been in the kitchen, beat me to it. Brandon kept me in his arms as we waited.

“It’s Ms. Johnson,” Allison announced and Bailey appeared from behind her.

I glanced at Brandon and he shrugged, letting me know that he also had no idea why she was here. Brandon had promised me that he would take a step back from their friendship. He also said she wasn’t allowed in the house anymore and that they would only come in contact if they met at events. I appreciated that, but it made me wonder why she was here and at night as well.

I tapped on Brandon's arm and he gently let go of me.

“What are you doing here?” Brandon asked, sounding curious. “I thought I told you we should limit our visits?”

I hadn’t seen Bailey since the day she announced that she slept with Brandon and the three weeks apart hadn’t changed my feelings for her.

“I’m sorry for showing up unannounced.” Her voice was smaller than usual and it had me suspicious. However, I didn’t say anything. I just watched the exchange with keen interest.

“Well, why are you here?”

“I have something to tell you.” She told him, sparing a glance at me.

Brandon followed her gaze. “She’s my wife. I’m sure she’s allowed to hear whatever you have to tell me.”

“Fair enough.” She sucked in a deep breath. “I only just found out this morning, but I’m pregnant.”

My heart stopped.

Brandon, the oblivious fool, was confused. “Congratulations?”

“The child is yours, Brand. We’ll be having a baby together.”

My tongue poked the inside of my cheek. This was it. My marriage was officially ruined and there was nothing that could save it.

Brandon’s eyebrows were still scrunched together. “What? What do you mean?”

“It means on the day we fucked, you got me pregnant. I just thought to tell you because it won’t be right to keep it from you. You don’t have to take responsibility for the child, but I knew it wouldn’t be fair if you didn’t know about it.”

I was ready to throw hands, but it would be considered an assault. Besides, she was now a pregnant woman. I’d be harming both the mother and the child. I couldn’t listen any longer. If I did, my intrusive thoughts would win.

“I’ll leave you two to your conversation,” I told both of them before I trudged up the stairs.

Brandon knew better than to stop me. I wasn’t feeling sleepy earlier, but as soon as I lay on the bed, I wanted to sleep and wake up to find out that this part of my life was a nightmare.

I made a phone call before I eventually drifted off to sleep.

When I woke up the next morning, I realized that my husband impregnating another woman was truly my reality.

Brandon was still sleeping when I went downstairs to get the document I’d told my lawyer to prepare the night prior. He was fast and efficient. When I went back into the room, Brandon had woken up.

He looked at me warily as though he was afraid I’d snap. “You slept pretty early last night.”

The elephant in the room was huge as fuck, but I didn’t want to talk about it. There was nothing to talk about. Brandon was a responsible man and he wasn’t going to abandon his child no matter what.

It was best I removed myself from the equation. I was protecting my peace. I was in love with Brandon, but he was going to be a father and not to my kid.

Staying silent, I handed him the document.

“What is this?” He stared at me but my expression was blank. Curiosity got the better of him and he opened the file. His eyebrows shot up. “Divorce papers?”