Patricia

The weight of reality hits me hard—I can't believe he found out before I had the chance to tell him. Not that his reaction would have been different, but I wanted to be the one to explain. The door closes behind me, leaving me on the floor, where minutes ago I was pleading with Jordan not to leave.

Unable to stand, I remain seated, weeping, and wondering how it came to this. It's only been three months of marriage, and now this. What if he decides on a divorce? I can't lose him; imagining life without him feels unbearable.

The gravity of the situation hits me, and I crumble into more tears, my shoulders shaking with the weight of heartache. Realizing I've lost something irreplaceable, coupled with the remorse for not trusting Jordan with the truth, devastates me. I should have mentioned it the very day Bryan sent the message, but I just couldn't. And now, my greatest fear has come true.

I don’t know how long I sit crying, but by the time I wake up, it’s past nine. Summoning the courag