The Anniversary Secret

I slipped the pregnancy report back into my bag, my hand instinctively resting on my stomach.To the little life inside me, I whispered an apology.I had planned to share the good news today. Calvin Leeroy had longed for this child for so long.It seems he would rather that Susie Cartman be the one to give him a baby.That explained why he had been smiling at his phone so often as of late; his heart was already elsewhere.When I stayed silent, Calvin transferred money to me, just as he always did.In his eyes, I was nothing more than a dull, predictable housewife–someone who could be placated with cash.He lay down beside me, reaching out to pull me into his arms. His warm breath should have made me shiver with tenderness, but all I felt was cold.Once, I would have broken down, demanded to know why he was entangled with another woman, why he kept hurting his wife again and again.How could a man as educated as he was even consider something as absurd as giving his seed to ano

Calvin's face was flushed red with fury as he grabbed my wrist in a crushing grip, his voice venomous."So just because I said I'd donate seed to Susie, you went and had an abortion behind my back? Are you insane? You didn't even tell me you were pregnant! Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting for this child?"His words made my stomach churn with disgust.Even at this point, he thought I would still be willing to bear his child?I ignored him and moved to step past, but he yanked me back, refusing to let go."I already promised you–once we have the baby, I'll cut ties with Susie completely. Isn't that enough?"He kept testing the limits of my patience, and for the first time, I realized just how shameless a person could be.I could not hold back anymore, and I slapped his face–hard."I don't care what you promise. I want a divorce! You've been desperate to be with Susie anyway, haven't you? A lawyer will be in touch."With that, I walked away from the house I had liv

Ian took a file bag from his assistant and dumped its contents onto the table. Papers and photographs were scattered everywhere."You've hurt Angela again and again for this woman," he said coldly. "Now look carefully at who she really is."He jabbed at the evidence."She tells people she came back to Sunnydale after finishing her studies, blaming her ruined reputation on bad luck with men. But the truth? She's nothing but a shallow, greedy woman! She got involved with a married man for money, drove his wife in her fifties to her death, and only then came crawling back here in disgrace."And if she's so innocent, why didn't she marry properly? Why use another man just to have a child?"Susie's face went ghostly pale. She shook her head furiously."No, that's not true! None of it's true! Please, don't believe him!"Nonetheless, the evidence was damning. Still, Calvin chose to believe her."Don't think I'll fall for your lies just because you've cooked up some fake evidence!"He

"Angela, you're not getting any younger. If the right person comes along, would you let me arrange a meeting?"In a family like ours, me finding another partner would be easy. Also, it was not as if my failed marriage destroyed my faith in love.Nevertheless…"Not right now, Mom." I shook my head. "These past few years, I've been battered and bruised inside the walls of marriage. Now that I've finally regained my freedom, I realize life is long, the world is vast, and there's more to it than love alone."I want to spend the days ahead doing things that matter to me. Things that give me meaning."Mom asked what I had in mind."I want to study abroad, maybe travel the world."My parents were supportive, but my brother could not hide his reluctance."We just got you back home, and you're already planning to leave again?""I'll be back before long." I smiled and wrapped him in a hug.I knew how hard it had been for him–running the family business, taking care of our parents, all

Calvin froze. "Didn't you once say… you only ever wanted to marry me in this life?""That version of me is long gone."A few days later, when the last of his money ran out, he wandered the Edoras streets at night and was mugged. The thieves, finding no cash on him, beat him badly and left him with a broken leg.Eventually, the embassy arranged for his return to Sunnydale.Ian asked me, "Do you worry about him?""He's an adult. If he can't take responsibility for himself, that's his problem. What's there to worry about?"That was the end. We never saw each other again.I only heard bits of news from friends from time to time.After Susie left, without my quiet support, the Leeroy family business collapsed.Calvin drowned himself in alcohol every day. His elders scolded him constantly."If you hadn't been such a fool, if you hadn't driven Angela away, the Leeroy family would never have fallen this far."Back then, even though I was not in touch with my parents, they still taci