All Chapters of Carrying my father in-laws child : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Erick's POVThe photographs refused to leave my mind.I'd already looked at them more times than I cared to admit, yet my thumb found its way back to the screen.The first showed Diego holding open the passenger door of his Rolls-Royce.The second captured him getting into the driver's seat while Ophelia sat inside.Nothing about them suggested an affair.If anything, they looked... ordinary.Then why did they bother me so much?I zoomed in again.Ophelia held a hospital envelope close to her chest, almost as though she didn't want anyone else to touch it.My eyes drifted to the anonymous message beneath the photographs.You might want to ask why your ex-wife was leaving the maternity wing with Diego Willow.I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes.The maternity wing.The words echoed inside my head.A soft knock broke the silence."Come in."Reina stepped into the study carrying two mugs of coffee.She placed one on my desk before settling into the chair across from me."I thoug

Erick's POVSleep had become a stranger.I lay awake staring at the ceiling, listening to the steady ticking of the clock on the wall.Every time I closed my eyes, the same images came back.Ophelia climbing into Diego's car.The hospital envelope in her hands.The anonymous message.You're asking the wrong questions.I turned onto my side and glanced at the empty space beside me.Reina had fallen asleep hours ago.Or at least she wanted me to believe she had.Lately, it felt as though we were both pretending.Pretending everything was normal.Pretending there wasn't a wall growing between us.Pretending trust hadn't quietly packed its bags and left.Carefully, I climbed out of bed and walked downstairs.The house was silent.I poured myself a glass of water before stopping in front of the living room window.Rain had washed over the city earlier, leaving the gardens glistening beneath the moonlight.Once upon a time, Ophelia loved standing here whenever it rained.She would curl up o

Erick's POVThe house didn't feel like home anymore, It was strange.I'd spent years believing this place was mine.Now, every room reminded me of someone who was no longer there.I loosened my tie as I stepped into the bedroom, the silence followed me inside. No soft music drifting from the dressing room, no books scattered across the bedside table, no lavender candle burning by the window.Everything looked exactly the way it should.Yet something was missing.Someone was missing.I rubbed the back of my neck and walked toward the wardrobe.Mason had called earlier to remind me about tomorrow's meeting in Australia. My passport was somewhere inside.I pulled open the wardrobe doors, the left side was almost empty, only a few of my suits remained neatly arranged.The right side...I froze.That had been Ophelia's side.The hangers were still there.A silk scarf hung forgotten near the back, gently swaying as the wardrobe door settled open.I reached for it without thinking.The fami

Ophelia's POVThe alarm rang at six-thirty.For a few seconds, I lay still, staring at the ceiling.Today wasn't just another day, it was my first day at work. A strange mixture of excitement and fear settled in my stomach, it had been years since I'd worked in an office. Years since anyone had looked at me as anything other than Erick Willow's wife.Now...I was simply Ophelia Hart.I slowly sat up and rested a hand over my stomach. "Good morning," I whispered with a faint smile, "I'm a little scared today." The baby, of course, didn't answer. But somehow, saying the words aloud made me feel less alone.The Willow Foundation was already buzzing when I arrived.Employees hurried through the lobby carrying files and cups of coffee.Everyone seemed to know exactly where they were going.I, on the other hand, felt completely out of place."Good morning, Ms. Hart."The receptionist greeted me with a warm smile."Evelyn is expecting you.""Thank you."A few minutes later, Evelyn Brooks wa

Erick's POVI stared at the divorce papers lying on my desk long after James Carter left my office, the room was silent. Too silent. One signature.That was all Ophelia wanted from me.One signature...And our marriage would officially become a memory.I picked up the pen.The tip hovered above the line where my name belonged.For some reason...My hand refused to move."Damn it."I tossed the pen onto the desk and leaned back in my chair.What was wrong with me?This was exactly what I had wanted, wasn't it?I had spent the last two years pushing Ophelia away, working late, ignoring her calls, choosing Reina over my own wife. Now she was giving me the freedom I'd practically begged for.So why couldn't I sign?A knock sounded on my office door."Come in."My lawyer stepped inside.He glanced at the unsigned documents before looking back at me."I take it you've made your decision.""I need more time."He studied me for a moment."Mr. Willow, refusing to sign won't stop the divorce."