Keep the Kid, I'm Out

Josephine sneered, "Why did I ever let Jasper marry a jinx like you? Quit your job? What now—just mooch off him?"

Raymond jumped in. "You couldn't even hang onto a golden job. What good are you? If I'd known you were this useless, I'd have never let you marry Jasper.

"Natalie's health is delicate, raising a kid costs money, and instead of helping, you're just dead weight. What kind of wife is that?"

I let out a laugh.

"And what kind of husband gets another woman pregnant while his wife's out of the country?"

Jasper snapped, "Emily Haden, that's enough. I did this for you!"

His eyes were ice. "You can't have kids, so I let Natalie carry one—for you. I was trying to give you a shot at motherhood. Why can't you see how hard this was for me?

"We used IVF. It was perfect—Natalie gets her dying wish, and you get a baby without going through labor. What are you even mad about?

"If she hadn't saved me in that car crash two years ago, I wouldn't even be here. She lost her parents, she's dying of cancer—soon, no one will remember her.

"Can't you show a little sympathy? Or do you really think I'm just some heartless jerk?"

Natalie tugged his hand and gave me a soft look. "Emily, maybe cut him some slack. This is all on me. I promise I'll back off—just don't let this wreck your marriage, okay?"

I almost laughed, looking at the four of them all lined up like one big happy team.

So this was what a "real family" looked like.

Then Jasper turned back to me.

"My patience is wearing thin. Keep attacking Natalie and don't blame me for what happens. If you still want this marriage, chill out. At next week's banquet, I'll name you as the baby's mom."

Next week?

I glanced at the baby knocked out in the stroller. I'd be long gone by then.

But before I left, they were getting a goodbye to remember.

***

I nodded. "Cool."

Didn't wait for their reaction. Just turned and headed to the bedroom to pack.

I was done—wasn't leaving a single trace behind.

Laughter floated in from the living room. I froze mid-fold.

"Natalie, let's name him Nathan. Male version of your name. So even if he calls someone else 'Mom' one day, he'll still know who his real mother is."

I didn't need to see his face—I already knew the look he gave her.

And just like that, my busted heart cracked all over again.

I thought back to last month. I'd rushed home with a gift, something I picked up overseas just for Jasper.

But what I walked into? Him and Natalie, hand in hand. Her belly was impossible to miss.

Jasper looked like he'd seen a ghost.

Natalie just blinked and asked, "Did you get the wrong house? This is my home."

I didn't say a word. Just stared at her bump.

One year gone, and my husband had moved in his ex. Pregnant and cozy.

Didn't need an explanation. It was all right there.

Jasper jumped in, flustered. "This is my wife, Emily."