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 another woman to have his own child?

At this point, though, I just shifted slightly, avoiding his touch.

He noticed and tried to soothe me.

"Honey, you've misunderstood. Susie and I are like siblings. Nothing else would ever happen between us. Her grandmother was my mentor–it was her dying wish that Susie have a child. With this child, she'll have someone to depend on. Once it's done, I'll never see her privately again, alright?"

I still did not answer.

His patience snapped. His voice rose sharply.

"Angela Irwin, I'm talking to you! What's with that attitude? It's just an IVF procedure–why are you making such a big deal out of it?"

With that, he threw off the blanket, yanked on his clothes, and stormed into the guest room. Before slamming the door shut, he spat out one last sentence, "I could've kept this from you. The only reason I told you was out of respect."

The door rattled with the force of his anger, leaving me sitting there in silence.

I had prepared for this anniversary for so long, only to end up with this.

Was it because I loved him too much? Was that why he dared to treat me this way?

No matter how much I loved him, I could not accept my husband giving his seed to another woman.

The next morning, Calvin left early. I did not have to ask where he went.

I immediately called Ian Travis, my childhood friend. When we were kids, he used to trail behind me, insisting he would always protect me.

When I told him I wanted a divorce and asked to borrow his private lawyer, Ian agreed instantaneously.

These past few days, Calvin had either been coming home late or glued to his phone.

At first, I thought he was busy with work. Yesterday, I finally understood–he was busy with Susie.

That afternoon, I went to the hospital. After only a few words with the doctor, I said clearly, "I want to terminate this pregnancy."

The doctor's eyes widened in surprise. "Didn't you go through so much just to have this child?"

I gave a bitter laugh but said nothing.

Understanding dawned in the doctor's eyes. He immediately began making the arrangements.

The procedure was quick–less than half an hour, and it was over.

However, as soon as I stepped out of the hospital, I saw them.

Calvin, carefully supporting Susie, guided her through the lobby. His face was full of worry, his voice tender in a way he never used with me.

This was the same man who always raised his voice at me, yet spoke to her in the gentlest tone imaginable.