MY EX-HUSBAND REGRET

TER

al At

lights hurt my eyes. I smelled somet

The hospital. Th

, sitting up fast.

one. Did something bad happen

the door opened. A lady

id with a smile. She h

"My baby... please

my forehead. I held

is fine,"

I whispered. I rubbed my belly gently. T

d, stepping back, "th

d. "Wh-what ki

ood. That's not good

eyes. This was a

'll give you some vitamins to he

ded.

eave, I asked, "Wh

e asked us no

ould be. Part of me

turned on the TV. What

en. They were holding hands an

re together, we had to hide. But

s in the air for the hand

cée? No, it co

ce. I couldn't belie

ith some food. "A

eyes. "I

n't hungry. When the nurs

from Mike

ent him a message: "I

I thought about all the good time

felt cold

-

e's

uzzed. It

e divorce," he

Finally,

g anniversary. But I didn't ca

d to rep

our phone forever," Lucy said.

and I had been seeing each other in secret

t love. I couldn

g you, Mike," Lucy sa

ng," I said, cu

eyebrow. "Is

No, I'm not thinking

inked at her. "Le

house was quiet. No one yelled "

I called.

hings were gone. Good, I

n my phone. Why did she call so

p thinking about Clara. Her v

told her about the divorce. Why

r, annoyed. Her voice

I'm you

I'm beg

ut I couldn't stop

-

feeling worse. My head hur

half-hoping to see a mes

heck on me. "How are

by a truck," I sai

doctor will be in soon. T

thought of food

turned on the TV a

ference. He looked happy, confiden

Lucy and I are engaged," Mik

ed. It was real.

w could he do this? How could he

saw me crying. "What's

t not the kin

e of my bed. "Want

er everything. About Mik

id when I finished. "Y

g to do?" I ask

tting better. For yourself and your

ateful for h

face appeared in my doorway

e said softly.

surprised

next to my bed. "Ho

t great. Did yo

found out. I'm so sorry, Cl

asked. "Did yo

se outside Mike's office. I c

Thank you, Tom. I don't know

n't think about that. You

for a while. The

re for you. Whatever you need. You'r

deeply. "Thank you, T

ed back. "Oh, I almost forg

t bag. Inside was a tiny

n my cheeks, but this t

a. Don't ever forget that

st, feeling a tiny spark of h

-

e's

che. Last night's celebration w

saw a missed call from Tom.

ed him

ou doing?" Tom's angry voi

lking about?" I

spital, you idiot!

dropped.

ng on the floor of your offi

ad forgotten

kay?" I asked,

ould you do this, Mike? How could yo

nd," I tried to exp

your excuses. Just know this: you're making a hug

ore I could sa

ead in my hands. Clara was in the

ba

the reality of what

buzzed. I

some! Ready fo

ssage, feeling sic

-

ing to feel a little stronger. Th

e it easy," she warn

d. How could I avoid stress when

was a knock at the door. My heart

t was

king perfect as al

ce sickly sweet. "I heard you wer

for a second. "What

sure you understood the situation. Mike is mine now. He always

t to show it. "If you're so sur

. Stay away from Mike. Don't try to use this

. "Get out," I said, my

" Lucy look

to come in here and threaten me. This is my baby, and Mike's bab

red with anger, b

ne, I collapsed back

in. "I heard yell

g. "Lucy was here. She..

"I'm going to kill my

a deep breath. "No mo

e, confused. "W

I'm done being the victim. Mike made his choice. Now I'm making m

. "That's the Clara I kno

me?" I asked. "I ne

f sadness and hope. My life with Mike w

u and me now, little one," I whispered.

e in days, I actu

-

e's

e wall. Lucy had just left, angry

hinking about Cla

ng in my head: "You're

s

led to Clara's name. My finger

ress it, Lucy burst

nking. We should move up the

eling suddenly very

he looked at m

ime in months. The manipulative smile, the cold e

id, the words tumbling ou

ugly with rage. "

word. "I said, I can't marry you. Thi

Lucy screamed. "After eve

again, and I meant

the door behind her, I felt a

ys. I had to find Clara.

ed it wasn