Rejected by my Husband

I was carrying his child when he threw me out. He believed his female best friend’s lies over my tears, called me unfaithful, and left me to raise our baby alone. Four years later, Only to find him back, time he's my Boss. But the DNA test proved the truth, our son was always his. Now he’s on his knees, begging for forgiveness, begging to have us back. But how do I trust the man who shattered me when I needed him most? Should I forgive me? Or move on? Chapter 1 I woke up sore, every muscle aching, my body still humming with the memory of last night. Heat lingered on my skin, the sweetest kind of ache. My lashes fluttered open and there he was, lying right beside me. Reid. My world. My husband. The steady rise and fall of his chest, the faint stubble shadowing his jaw, the way his arm was already draped across my waist as if he couldn’t let go even in sleep, it all made my heart squeeze. I shifted closer, snuggling into his warmth, breathing in that intoxicating scent of cedar and skin that was uniquely his. Just as I tilted my face to look at him, his lips brushed the curve of my neck. A shiver shot through me. “Mm… Reid…” I whispered, my voice half a moan, half a plea. His lips curved into a smirk against my skin. “Good morning, my baby,” he murmured, his voice low, rough with sleep, but devastatingly tender. His hand slid over my hip, pulling me closer until not even a breath could fit between us. I turned in his arms, catching the hunger in his eyes the moment they opened. “You’re insatiable,” I teased, though my voice trembled with want. “Only with you,” he replied, brushing his thumb over my bottom lip before capturing it with a possessive kiss. I gasped against his mouth as his weight shifted over me, his body covering mine with protective heat. My hands tangled in his hair, pulling him deeper, needing him closer. His kisses grew urgent, tasting of promises and fire, tracing down my throat as if he couldn’t get enough of me. “Reid,” I moaned again, my nails raking lightly over his back. “We… we shouldn’t… it’s morning…” He chuckled, dark and wicked, lips grazing the swell of my chest. “Then let the morning start with you,” he whispered. “Let every day start like this, with my wife in my arms, moaning my name.” The words melted what little resistance I had left. His touch became bolder, his kisses hotter, until the room blurred around us and the only thing that mattered was him, his hands, his mouth, the way he made me forget the world outside our bed. Every sigh, every shiver, every whispered endearment became a symphony between us, building again until I was consumed, lost in the love of the man who held me like I was everything he’d ever wanted. Reid brushed my hair back gently, his lips ghosting over my temple before he rolled onto his back with a satisfied sigh. I curled against him, still dazed. “Where are you going?” I asked when he started to sit up. My voice came out small, uncertain. “It’s Sunday… we should be spending the day together.” Reid reached for his shirt, buttoning it lazily while giving me that familiar smile, the one that always made me forgive too easily. “I’m going to meet Natalie,” he said matter-of-factly. “She’s having trouble with that property case in court. She needs my help.” At the mention of her name, something tightened in my chest. Natalie. His childhood best friend. She always seemed to need him. Always managed to find her way into our weekends, our evenings, our moments. I tried to keep my voice steady. “But… it’s Sunday, Reid. I thought… maybe just for once, we’d stay in bed, spend the day together. Just us.” He leaned over and kissed my forehead softly, lingering as if that would erase my unease. “You’re my wife. My everything. But Natalie's been by my side since we were kids. She really needs me today, and I promise I’ll be back before evening.” I forced a smile, nodding even though doubt pricked at me like needles beneath my skin. “Alright,” I whispered. “I’ll wait.” Reid cupped my face, his thumb brushing along my cheek. “Don’t worry,” he said gently, his eyes holding mine. “It’s just Natalie. Nothing more. You have my heart, always.” I nodded again, this time more hesitant than before. My lips curved, but inside, unease lingered. As the door clicked shut behind him, I lay back against the sheets still warm from his body, my mind whispering questions my heart didn’t want to hear. Chapter 2 The clock ticked louder with every passing minute. Nine o’clock. The hands on the wall mocked me with their steady rhythm. He said he’d be home before evening. Evening had bled into night, and still, I sat alone. I had dressed for him. A soft dress he always liked, the one that hugged me just enough to make his eyes darken. I had even slipped on lipstick, something I hadn’t done in weeks. The table was set, candles flickering, and in the oven, his favorite lasagna with extra meat, just the way he loved it. The bell had rung, and I had opened the door with my heart racing, only for my smile to die the instant I saw her standing beside him. Natalie. She carried herself with easy grace, her perfume filling the air as if she belonged here. I let them in, silent, cold. The candles still burned on the table, the lasagna sat waiting, but the sight of her at his side stole away all the hunger I had. Reid noticed the food and gave me a smile. “You even made lasagna? Karline, you spoil me.” I forced a nod, lowering my eyes. “I thought… we’d have dinner together.” Natalie slid into the chair opposite him, her smile bright. “It smells wonderful. Karline, you really are amazing.” I sat at the table, pushing the food around my plate. Reid and Natalie fell into their own rhythm, talking about their childhood, about places and names that meant nothing to me. “Do you remember the time we skipped class to go to the lake?” Natalie’s laugh rang across the table. Reid chuckled, his eyes warming. “How could I forget? You nearly drowned and blamed me for pushing you in.” “You did push me,” she teased. Their laughter filled the space between us. I pressed my lips together, setting my fork down with a soft clink. My appetite was gone. “I think I’ll go lie down,” I said quietly, rising from my seat. Reid’s laughter faded as he looked at me, surprise flickering in his eyes. “You’re going to bed already?” “I’m tired,” I murmured, avoiding his gaze. He frowned slightly, leaning back in his chair. “Baby, are you okay? You barely touched your food.” “I’m fine,” I lied, my voice cool. Natalie shifted uncomfortably, but Reid’s eyes stayed on me. “Karline…” he said softly, as if he wanted me to explain. I offered a tight smile. “Enjoy your dinner. Good night.” Before he could say more, I turned and walked toward the bedroom. My heart pounded, my throat ached with words I didn’t want to say in front of her. Behind me, I heard Reid’s voice, lower this time. “She’s not usually like this. I’ll check on her later.” The door closed behind me, muffling their voices, but not the ache in my chest. I lay down in bed, staring at the ceiling, wondering if Reid even realized how far away from me he already felt. I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The laughter from the dining room had faded, replaced by the muffled hum of conversation and then the sound of the front door closing. Silence followed. A moment later, I heard footsteps. Steady. Familiar. They stopped at the bedroom door. “Karline,” Reid’s voice was low, careful. He pushed the door open, his tall frame filling the doorway. “She’s gone.” I didn’t answer. I shifted on the bed, turning my back toward him. My chest tightened when I felt the mattress dip as he sat beside me. He reached out, brushing his fingers over my arm. “Baby, talk to me. Why did you leave the table like that?” I swallowed hard, fighting to keep my voice steady. “You seemed… comfortable enough without me there.” His brows drew together, his hand pausing. “What does that mean?” I finally turned, meeting his eyes. “You promised me today. You said you’d be back before evening. Instead, you walked in at nine at night..with her.” My voice cracked on the last word. Reid sighed, dragging a hand through his hair. “I know I’m late. I didn’t realize it would take so long. Natalie just… needed someone to talk to about the case. She’s been through a lot.” “And I haven’t?” My words came sharper than I intended. “Do you know how it felt? Sitting there in this dress, waiting… cooking your favorite meal, only for you to walk in with another woman by your side?” His eyes softened, and he cupped my cheek. “Don’t say that. You know what you mean to me. Karline, you’re my wife. My everything. I would never put anyone above you.” “Then why,” I whispered, tears threatening, “do I feel like I’m losing you to her?” Reid leaned closer, pressing his forehead to mine. His voice dropped to a plea. “You’re not losing me. You’ll never lose me. Natalie is just my friend. You… you are my present. My future. My wife.” I wanted to believe him. His lips brushed mine gently, his breath warm, his words sealing the space between us. But the ache in my chest lingered, the image of them laughing together still sharp in my mind. When he kissed me deeper, I let him, because part of me still craved him, his warmth, his touch, his love. Yet somewhere in the back of my heart, doubt whispered like a shadow that refused to leave. Chapter 3 Next Day His meeting was over earlier than expected today so he just invited me for lunch. Being a Ceo he really doesn't have much time to spend with me..but he still manages to make time to spend with me. The garden terrace was a picture of elegance. Sunlight filtered through wide parasols, a gentle breeze carried the fragrance of roses planted along the fence, and the sound of cutlery against fine china created a delicate rhythm. Waiters in crisp uniforms glided from table to table, pouring wine into tall glasses. Reid sat at the head of our table, the perfect image of authority even outside the office. His suit jacket was folded neatly over the back of his chair, his white shirt rolled at the sleeves, but power clung to him effortlessly. He looked like a man who owned the world. I was still admiring him when Natalie arrived, Adrian walking confidently at her side. His smile was quick, charming, the kind that always felt a little too smooth. “Reid,” Natalie greeted warmly. “Karline.” Adrian gave me a longer look before pulling out his chair. “It’s been too long. Karline, you look radiant today. Reid must be very proud to have you by his side.” Adrian the bestfriend of Natalie.. they used to work in the same hospital together. He had come for a dinner or too in our home.. and that's where me and Reid knows him. “Thank you,” I said politely, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. Reid’s hand shifted on the table, his fingers brushing mine briefly as if to remind me he was listening. “Sit. Let’s eat,” he said. Once they were settled, Reid leaned toward Natalie. “Your case. Has it closed yet?” Natalie shook her head, her expression somber. “No. It’s dragging on. Some days, I wonder if it’s worth fighting anymore.” Reid’s voice was steady, reassuring. “You don’t quit. Not until every option is gone. We’ll go through it together again. There will be a way forward.” Natalie’s lips curved into a faint, grateful smile. “You’ve always had that strength, Reid.” Adrian cleared his throat and turned his attention to me. “And what about you, Karline? Does he show you that same strength at home, or does he let you see the softer side the rest of us never do?” I gave a small laugh, glancing at Reid. “He’s… a little of both.” Adrian leaned in slightly, lowering his voice in a way that still carried. “I envy that. To have both the protector and the man underneath… you’re lucky,.” Reid’s eyes flicked to Adrian, then to me. He sipped his wine before speaking, calm but firmer this time. “She is more than lucky. She deserves all of me, and she has it.” Adrian smiled as though the words amused him. “I can see that. Still, it’s rare to meet a woman who could match Reid’s presence. Most would be overshadowed. But you… you shine in your own light.” The compliment was too direct to ignore. My cheeks warmed, but I managed to smile politely. “That’s kind of you, Adrian.” Reid set his glass down, his gaze steady now. “Adrian, you’ve made your point. My kar doesn’t need anyone to tell her how remarkable she is.” I reached for Reid’s hand under the table, giving it a light squeeze. “It’s alright,” I said softly. “He was only being kind.” The waiter arrived just then with steaming plates of roasted lamb and bowls of pasta. Conversation shifted, but the tension lingered, wrapped in polite smiles and careful glances. Adrian chuckled as he cut into his food. “Reid, you’re a fortunate man. If I were you, I wouldn’t let her out of my sight.” This time, Reid only gave a small smile, his thumb brushing against the back of my hand. His voice was calm, but his words held weight. “You don’t have to worry about that. I never do.” After that meal, Adrian flirted a bit more with me..and i kinda liked seeing jealous Reid...so he can feel now I feel him with Natalie. even Adrian put his hands on mine for a photo and I let him for a selfie. I can clearly see Reid's anger, god.. Then we left for home.. *** At night. it's almost 10pm and we were under the blanket watching movie cuddling with eachother. My head rested against Reid’s shoulder, his arm heavy and warm around me. His laughter at some silly commercial made my heart flutter, and I tilted my face to him with a smile. “You’re not even watching,” I teased, poking his chest lightly. “I’m watching you,” he replied smoothly, catching my hand and pressing a kiss against my knuckles. His lips trailed higher, to my wrist, then my neck, leaving goosebumps in their wake. “Reid…” My voice broke into a soft sigh as he shifted, pressing me gently back against the cushions. His mouth found mine, hot and hungry, stealing every breath until I was clinging to him. His hands moved with purpose, sliding beneath my blouse, skimming along my skin as if memorizing every inch. His kisses deepened, tasting of wine and want, pulling me further under his spell. When he pushed the fabric from my shoulder and his lips grazed the curve of my collarbone, I could only moan his name. “Reid… don’t stop.” “I don’t intend to,” he murmured against my skin, his voice thick with desire. He was already unbuttoning, his tshirt discarded, his body pressing closer, harder, until the shrill buzz of his personal phone shattered the moment. He froze. I blinked up at him, breathless, watching the frustration flicker across his face as he reached for the phone. “Ignore it,” I whispered, pulling him back down. “Please. Stay with me.” But he had already seen the name flashing on the screen. His expression tightened. “I have to take this.” The warmth between us chilled instantly. I knew without asking who it was. My stomach sank. “Hello,” he said, his voice shifting from passionate to composed in an instant. He listened for a moment, then straightened, running a hand through his hair. “Alright. Stay calm. I’ll be there.” My chest clenched. “Natalie,” I said flatly. “It’s her again.” Reid didn’t deny it. “She’s at the police station. There’s been some kind of misunderstanding. She needs help.” I sat up, my blouse still hanging loosely from one shoulder. “Now? Reid, it’s ten o’clock at night.” He reached for his jacket. “I can’t leave her like that.” I caught his arm, my voice low and trembling with frustration. “And what about me? What about us? I need you tonight. I…” My lips brushed his ear, desperate, aching. “I want you. Can’t you see? I’m burning for you. Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” He closed his eyes briefly, pressing a kiss against my lips, slow and lingering. “Baby… we’ll continue after I come back. I promise.” “I don’t want after,” I whispered, my hands fisting in his shirt. “I want now.” For a moment, his resolve wavered, his breath hitching as my lips trailed his jaw. But then he pulled back, his voice steady. “Kar… I have to. She’s in trouble.” The heat inside me twisted into anger. I shoved his chest lightly, my voice sharper than I intended. “Always her. Every time she calls, you run. Do you even hear yourself? It’s like she owns a part of you I can never touch.” His eyes darkened, but not with anger. With something heavier. “That’s not true. Don’t ever think that.” “Then prove it,” I hissed. “Stay.” For a long second, silence stretched between us, broken only by the ticking clock on the wall. His hand brushed my cheek, tender despite the storm in my words. “You’re my wife. My only love. But right now, she needs me. And I can’t walk away from someone who’s asking for help.” Tears burned in my eyes. “And I need you, Reid. Doesn’t that matter?” His thumb caught the tear before it fell. “It matters more than anything. Which is why I’ll come back, no matter how late it is. And when I do, I’ll finish what we started.” His lips pressed one last, lingering kiss against mine. Then he stood, his figure framed in the doorway as he grabbed his keys. “Wait for me, baby.” The door clicked shut behind him, leaving me in the silence, in the ache, in the fire that had nowhere left to burn. Chapter 4 I couldn’t sit in that empty house another second. The silence pressed against me like a cage, every tick of the clock mocking the fact that Reid had left me again. For her. When the driver looked up in surprise as I came down the stairs in a fitted black dress and heels, I didn’t even give him the chance to ask. “Take me to a club,” I ordered. “Madam… at this hour?” he hesitated. “Yes. And wait outside for me. Don’t follow me in,” I said sharply, sliding into the car. The city lights blurred past the window, neon signs glowing against the dark sky. By the time we pulled up to the club, the music was already pulsing from inside, bass vibrating through the pavement. I stepped out, the night air brushing against my bare shoulders, and walked straight in without looking back. Inside, it was chaos in the most intoxicating way, flashing lights, bodies pressed together, the smell of alcohol and perfume thick in the air. For the first time that night, I felt alive. I made my way to the bar, ordering a glass of red wine, when a familiar voice caught me off guard. “Well, if it isn’t Mrs. CEO,” Adrian drawled smoothly from a stool nearby, his glass of whiskey in hand. I turned, startled, but quickly composed myself. “Adrian.” He grinned, his eyes scanning me slowly. “You look… different tonight. Not the elegant hostess from the restaurant. More like a woman who came to forget something.” I sipped my wine, meeting his gaze without flinching. “Maybe I did.” He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Let me guess. Reid’s busy again?” The way he said it, with that mocking edge, made my chest tighten. I gave a small laugh, more bitter than amused. “What else is new?” Adrian chuckled, taking another sip of whiskey. “And so you came here. Alone. Brave… or dangerous?” “I told the driver to wait outside,” I said casually, though my heart thudded faster under his gaze. His lips curved. “So technically not alone. But still lonely.” I turned away from him, letting the music pull me. “Maybe I don’t want to talk. Maybe I just want to feel.” Before I could overthink it, I walked toward the stage where the DJ’s lights flashed and the beat was strongest. A few people were already dancing, but I climbed onto the platform, the spirit and anger giving me courage I didn’t know I had. From the stage, my eyes caught Adrian’s. He was leaning back at the bar, his gaze locked on me, a slow smile spreading across his face. He lifted his glass in a silent toast. I laughed, breathless, spinning under the lights, but inside my chest, something twisted. Freedom felt good, but it also burned. Because no matter how high the music lifted me, a part of me still wished Reid had been the one watching. The club lights spun faster, colors bleeding together as I sat back at the bar. My glass of spirit was nearly empty, the last drops burning as they slid down my throat. I wanted the heat, the numbness, anything to quiet the storm inside me. But as I set the glass down, the room tilted slightly. My vision blurred, the edges softening in a way that made my stomach twist. “Another?” Adrian’s voice came smooth beside me, though it sounded far away, as if underwater. I shook my head, pressing a hand to my temple. “No… I think I’ve had enough.” He chuckled, low and amused. “Funny, I thought you came here to let go.” I tried to laugh, but it came out weak. “Not like this…” My words slurred faintly, and I hated how heavy my tongue felt. Adrian leaned closer, his face much too near. “Then how about a dance instead?” I blinked, trying to steady my gaze. “No. I don’t… I don’t want to dance.” But before I could push back, he was already tugging at my hand, strong and insistent. My legs wobbled as I stood, the floor swaying beneath me. “Adrian..stop. I said no.” I tried to pull free, but my strength was slipping, my body betraying me. The music thundered in my ears, drowning out my words, drowning out everything. He led me to the stage, my heels stumbling on the steps, my heart pounding in confusion. I wanted to resist, to shout, but all that came out was a faint, broken sound. And then I felt it..his lips brushing against my cheek, his mouth grazing the sensitive skin of my neck. “No…” I whispered, my hands pressing weakly against his chest. But my arms felt like water, useless, sliding off him. “Shhh,” he murmured, the crowd cheering around us, mistaking my struggle for play. The lights were too bright, the music too loud. My vision tunneled, his face the only thing clear, his breath hot against my skin. I tried again to push him away, but my body wouldn’t listen. Everything blurred into noise, into heat, into helplessness. And then there was nothing but the dizzy thrum of the music and the weight of him holding me there. Reid’s POV By the time we stepped out of the police station, the clock on my dashboard read past midnight. The streets were quiet, the city lights muted, as though the world itself had gone to sleep while I was still running. Natalie walked beside me, her steps heavy, her eyes red. Her hands fidgeted with the strap of her tote bag, the one she always carried to the hospital. I knew what was inside, scrubs, her stethoscope, half-used notepads. Even in her worst moments, she never left them behind. “I don’t know how much more of this I can take,” she whispered, voice breaking. “I spend all day saving lives, watching strangers breathe again because of me, and then I come home to… nothing. My house is gone. My parents are gone. And now the case keeps dragging on. I feel like I have nowhere left.” She sank down on the curb, covering her face with her hands. The sob that tore out of her chest wasn’t graceful, wasn’t restrained it was raw, wounded. “Natalie…” I crouched beside her, unsure what to do. I wasn’t the man to comfort with soft words, but seeing her break like that tugged at the part of me that remembered our childhood. She had once been a girl with scraped knees running after me in the fields, begging me to let her play with us. Now she was a woman who kept everyone else alive but couldn’t keep herself from falling apart. “You can’t stay like this,” I said quietly. “Come to my house tonight. Rest. We’ll find a solution in the morning.” She sniffled, lifting her face. “I can’t impose on you and Karline, especially not after the shift I just came from. I probably still smell like antiseptic.” “You’re not imposing,” I cut in firmly. “You’re in trouble. And I help the people I care about. That’s final.” She gave me a watery smile, murmuring a thank you, brushing at the sleeve of her cardigan where a pen was still clipped, another trace of the hospital she couldn’t leave behind. But my chest tightened. Because even as I said it, all I could think of was Kar waiting for me at home. The look in her eyes when I left her earlier… the anger, the hurt. I clenched my jaw, speeding the car toward my house. When we finally arrived, I stepped out quickly, scanning the windows. The living room lights were off. The house was too still. “Kar?” I called softly as I entered, placing Natalie’s bag by the door. My voice echoed through the hall. No answer. My heartbeat picked up. She always waited for me, no matter how angry she was. Even if she pretended to sleep, I would still find her curled in our bed. But now, the house felt empty, wrong. I checked the bedroom first, bed neatly made, no sign of her. The kitchen, plates untouched, the lasagna she’d made for me earlier still covered on the counter. My throat tightened at the sight. “Natalie, stay here,” I ordered, sharper than I intended. She opened her mouth, but I didn’t wait. I searched every room, calling out her name louder now. “Karline! Where are you?” Nothing. A flicker of panic shot through me. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and when I pulled it out, I saw a message from the driver. “Sir, Madam is at the club. She told me to wait outside.” My blood ran cold. Chapter 5 Reid’s POV The car screeched to a halt outside the club, the neon lights burning against the night sky. The bass from inside throbbed in my chest before I even stepped out. My driver climbed quickly from his seat and hurried to me. “Sir...Madam went inside hours ago. She hasn’t come back out.” My jaw tightened. “Why didn’t you call me sooner?” “I… I thought she only wanted to blow off steam,” he stammered. I didn’t waste another word. I pushed through the entrance, the smell of sweat, alcohol, and smoke hitting me at once. Lights flashed across the packed dance floor where bodies moved in sync with the music. “Karline!” I shouted above the noise, scanning the crowd. Faces blurred past me, strangers swaying, laughing, kissing, but not her. My chest ached as I shoved past the dancers, searching every corner, every table. I pulled out my phone and dialed her, but the call went unanswered. Straight to voicemail. “Damn it,” I muttered, raking a hand through my hair. I went further in, toward the velvet ropes that marked the VIP section. A bouncer stepped in front of me until recognition flickered in his eyes. Being CEO had its advantages, I didn’t even need to argue. He stepped aside. The VIP room was quieter, the music muffled, the air heavy with the scent of expensive liquor and perfume. Private booths lined the walls, curtains drawn on most. My gut twisted. Something felt wrong. The curtain whipped back, and my world shattered. Kar. my karline. My wife. Curled against Adrian in the dim booth, her dress slipping off her shoulder, her hair wild, her lips parted as if she’d just been kissed. His arm was locked tight around her waist, his shirt unbuttoned halfway, smug satisfaction written all over his face. I froze, my heart pounding like a war drum. “Karline!” My voice roared above the muffled bass. Her lashes fluttered. She stirred, blinking up at me with glassy eyes. “Reid?” Her voice was soft, slurred, like she was waking from a dream. Adrian chuckled, stretching like a cat disturbed from its nap. “You’re loud.” Rage surged through me. “What the hell is this?!” She tried to push herself up, but her body swayed and collapsed back against the cushions. Her hand reached weakly toward me. “I don’t… I don’t know what happened. Reid, I was just dancing and then..” Adrian cut her off smoothly, his voice dripping poison. “Don’t lie now, darling. You told me you were lonely. You said you were horny, begged me to touch you. You practically threw yourself at me.” The words sliced me open. Karline’s eyes widened in horror. “No! Reid, no, I never said that!” She struggled upright, her body trembling. “He’s lying..I swear on ..” I stepped closer, my voice raw. “You’re not even drunk, Damnit. Don’t you dare pretend you don’t know what you were doing.” Her face crumpled, tears spilling down her cheeks. “I’m dizzy, my head is spinning..I swear something’s wrong with me. Please, believe me, Reid, I’d never_” Adrian smirked over her shoulder. “You seemed fine when you were grinding on me a little while ago. Maybe your husband doesn’t know what his perfect wife really wants.” “Shut your filthy mouth!” I lunged, fisting his collar and slamming him against the wall. My fury shook through my arms. “If you touched her without her consent, I’ll bury you.” Adrian only laughed, his eyes gleaming. “Consent? She was begging, Reid. Why don’t you ask her?” Karline’s voice cracked through sobs. “Reid, he’s lying! I tried, but my body wouldn’t listen. You have to believe me!” But the sight, the sight of her in his arms, flushed and weak, his hands all over her, was burned into my brain. “How can I believe you?” My chest heaved as the words ripped from me. “Do you know what I see right now? I see my wife, not drunk, not unconscious, but sitting in another man’s arms at midnight, letting him touch her. Do you know what that does to me?” Her lips trembled. “I didn’t let him! I couldn’t stop him, please, you have to trust me!” “Trust?” I barked a bitter laugh, hollow and broken. “You begged me to stay tonight, Kar. Do you remember? You said you needed me. And I left hating myself because I chose duty over you. But instead of waiting, you’re here. With him. Tell me, how the hell am I supposed to trust you after this?” Her sobs tore through the booth, her hands reaching for me. “Because I love you, Reid. Only you. Please, don’t let one lie destroy us.” I looked at her, really looked, and for one fleeting moment I almost believed her. Almost. But the image wouldn’t leave my head, Adrian’s lips grazing her cheek, her body limp and pliant under his arm. I turned away, voice sharp, final. “Don’t speak. Every word out of your mouth right now feels like a lie.” Her gasp broke me in half, but I forced my legs to move, storming out of the booth before I shattered completely. Behind me, I heard her crying, Adrian’s low chuckle threading through it like a knife. And in that moment, betrayal burned hotter than love. Karline's POV The booth door slammed behind Reid, leaving me breathless, my tears dripping hot down my face. “Reid, wait..please!” I tried to stumble after him, but Adrian’s hand caught my wrist. “Let him go,” he said smoothly, that smirk still plastered on his face. “He needed to see the truth tonight.” Something inside me snapped. I raised my hand and slapped him, hard enough that his head jerked to the side. The sting burned my palm, but the sound of it was worth it. “You disgusting bastard!” My voice cracked with rage and grief. “You spiked my drink, didn’t you? You made me like this you ruined everything!” Adrian only chuckled, rubbing his jaw where I struck him. “Ruined? No, sweetheart. I just gave Reid a reason to doubt. The rest was all you, your laugh, your flirting, the way you let me touch your hand. Don’t act innocent now.” “Stay away from me!” I spat, ripping my hand free and stumbling toward the exit. I burst out of the club into the cool night air, but Reid’s car was already gone. I caught sight of Natalie slipping into the passenger seat beside him before the vehicle disappeared into the street. My chest caved. Natalie. With him. “No, no, no…” My voice broke as I staggered to the curb, praying I was wrong. The driver hurried toward me. “Madam, are you alright? Should I take you home?” I nodded weakly, wiping my tears with trembling hands. “Yes… take me home. Please.” The house was dark when I arrived. Empty. “Reid?” I called out the moment I opened the door. My voice echoed through the silence. No answer. I searched every room, the living room, the study, the bedroom. Nothing. His shoes weren’t even by the door. His phone was off when I tried calling. “Reid, please pick up,” I whispered into the phone, my hands shaking. I tried again. Straight to voicemail. Again. And again. By the fifth time, my sobs broke free. I sank to the floor in the hallway, clutching the phone against my chest. The silence of the house pressed down on me, heavy, suffocating. “Reid, I swear I didn’t betray you,” I whispered into the darkness. “I tried… I don’t even know what happened to me. Please believe me. Please don’t leave me.” The memories of Adrian’s words came back to haunt me. She said she was horny. She begged me not to stop. “No,” I whispered fiercely through tears. “I never said that. I never wanted that. Reid has to know. He has to believe me.” But he was gone. With Natalie. My breaths came in short gasps, panic clawing at my chest. What if he never came back? What if he truly believed Adrian? I curled up on the cold floor, sobbing into my hands until exhaustion blurred my vision. And in that darkness, one thought screamed louder than my heartbeat. I was losing him. Chapter 6 Reid POV The car felt like a coffin the moment I left the club, Natalie’s presence beside me suffocating. She spoke softly, her voice like syrup. “Reid, I warned you… I told you she was getting too close to Adrian. You deserve better than this.” “Stop.” My voice was hoarse. “But..” “Stop!” I snapped, my hand tightening on the wheel. “Not another word, Natalie.” She flinched and went quiet. By the time I pulled up at the lake on the edge of the city, I couldn’t stand her silence either. “Get out.” Her eyes widened. “Reid, it’s dark..” “I said get out!” My tone was sharp, final. She scrambled from the car, and I slammed the door, leaving her behind as I walked down toward the water. The night air was cold, biting at my skin. I sat on the damp grass near the edge of the lake, staring at the rippling water that reflected the moon. My hands trembled as I raked them through my hair. Karline’s face wouldn’t leave me. Her laughter. Her warmth when she curled into my arms. The way her eyes lit up when she called me hers. And now the image burned in my mind..her lips parted, flushed, sitting in Adrian’s arms. I pressed my fists into my knees, my voice breaking as I whispered, “Why, Kar? Why? Why did you do this to me?” The wind didn’t answer. Only the water moved, mocking me with its calmness. Memories assaulted me. Her running barefoot through the garden. Her curling against my chest in bed, whispering, “You’re my world, Reid.” Her tears that night when I left for Natalie’s call. “Don’t go now. Stay with me.” And I had gone. Like a fool. Like a man who didn’t deserve her. I wanted to scream, but the sound strangled in my throat. The pain burned through me, deeper than anything I’d ever felt. She was my safe place, my anchor. And now I felt like a man adrift, shattered, unworthy. I clenched my jaw, tears pricking my eyes. “Maybe I was never enough for you, Karline. Maybe I never deserved you.” I dug my hands into the grass, grounding myself against the storm inside me. But no matter how hard I tried to push her away from my thoughts, her voice kept echoing in my ears. “I’d never betray you, Reid. Never.” My heart ached so violently I thought it might tear out of my chest. If she was lying, then everything we had was a lie. If she was telling the truth, then I’d destroyed us with my mistrust. Either way, I had lost her. The lake swallowed my reflection as a sob tore free. For the first time in years, I felt small. Broken. Unworthy of the love I thought was mine forever. “God,” I whispered to the night. “Tell me how to live without her.” But the silence was my only answer. Karline's POV The night dragged on like torture. I didn’t sleep. I sat curled on the sofa, eyes red and swollen, clutching my phone as if staring at it long enough would make it ring. Every sound outside made my heart jump, thinking it was him. When dawn finally bled through the curtains, I dragged myself into the kitchen. My hands shook as I cracked eggs, sliced bread, and set the pan on the stove. It was the only thing I could think to do, cook his favorite breakfast, the way I always did when he came home exhausted. Maybe the smell, the warmth, the familiarity would soften his anger. I laid everything neatly on the table, toast, eggs, coffee. My chest ached, waiting for the sound of the door. At last, I heard it. The lock turning. “Reid?” My voice cracked. He stepped inside, his shirt wrinkled, his eyes shadowed, exhaustion and something darker carved into his face. For a second, hope flared in my chest. “You’re home,” I whispered, hurrying forward. “I made breakfast. Please, eat something..” But he brushed past me, his expression blank, his footsteps heavy. “Reid,” I called, panic clawing up my throat. “It’s your favorite. Just sit down for a moment, let me..” “I’m not hungry.” His voice was flat, empty, and it cut through me like a blade. He headed for the stairs. I grabbed his arm, desperate. “Reid, please, listen to me! Nothing happened last night..I swear it on everything I love. I didn’t cheat on you!” He shook me off, his eyes finally meeting mine. They were filled with a pain so deep it stole the air from my lungs. “Don’t.” “Reid..” My voice broke into sobs. “I would never do that to you. I don’t even know what happened, I was dizzy, I couldn’t think, I, please, you have to believe me!” “Enough, Karline.” His tone was harsh now, final. He turned away and climbed the stairs, every step echoing like a sentence. When he reached our bedroom, he shut the door with a heavy thud. I stood frozen at the bottom of the stairs, staring up through a haze of tears. The plate of food sat untouched behind me, steam curling upward as if mocking me. “Reid!” I screamed, my voice cracking, raw with pain. “I didn’t cheat on you! Please believe me, please!” The silence that followed was worse than any insult, any curse. It was the silence of a man who no longer wanted to hear me. I sank to the floor, clutching my chest, sobbing until the sound of my own heartbreak filled the empty house. Reid’s cold dismissal: “I’m not hungry.” Her pleading and screaming, contrasted with his silence and slammed door. That suffocating, devastating emotional wall between them. I was still sitting on the floor when I heard the door upstairs creak open. My tears hadn’t even dried yet, but I scrambled to my feet, hope flaring again. Maybe..maybe he was ready to listen. Chapter 7 Reid came down the stairs slowly, his face pale, his jaw tight. His eyes were cold, yet there was pain buried deep in them. “Reid…” I whispered, my voice shaking. He stopped at the bottom step, staring at me as though I were a stranger. “If you didn’t cheat on me, Karline…” His voice was low, dangerous. “…then prove it.” I blinked, stunned. “Proof? Reid, what kind of proof can I possibly give you? I’m telling you the truth I didn’t do anything with him!” He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. “Then tell me why you were so comfortable with him. Why you let him touch your hand and didn’t move it away. Why you were laughing at his compliments like a lovesick girl. Why you were so damn close to him that night.” My chest tightened. “I..I was trying to make you jealous…” The words rushed out, desperate. “You were so busy with Natalie, so blind to how I felt..I wanted you to see me, Reid! I wanted you to fight for me!” His lips curled in bitterness. “So you wanted to make me jealous… by sleeping with him?” “No!” I shouted, my throat raw. “No, I never slept with him! I never wanted him, Reid! I only wanted you!” He laughed, but it was hollow, broken. “Do you even hear yourself? I walked in and found you in his arms. You weren’t fighting him off. You were lying there like you belonged to him. How the hell am I supposed to erase that from my head?” Tears blurred my vision again. “Because you know me! Because you love me! You should know I would never, ever betray you that way.” Reid’s fists clenched at his sides, his voice breaking as he snapped, “I don’t know you anymore, Karline.” The words cut sharper than any blade. I staggered back, clutching my chest as if I could hold myself together. “You don’t mean that,” I whispered, choking on sobs. “You’re just angry..” “I mean every word.” His tone was ice. And in that moment, I felt the ground vanish beneath me. The man who once swore he’d never let me go was now looking at me like I was already gone. His words rang in my ears like a death sentence. I don’t know you anymore, Karline. Something inside me snapped. The begging, the pleading, the endless tears, it all burned away, leaving only anger and fire. I lifted my head, wiping my face with trembling hands. My chest heaved as I looked him dead in the eye. “Fine,” I shouted, my voice echoing through the room. “You want proof, Reid? I’ll give you proof.” He froze, his jaw tightening, but I didn’t stop. My pain came out as fire now, every word trembling with rage. “You think you can throw me aside because of a scene you walked into? You think you know the truth from a single lie Adrian spat in your face? No! You don’t get to destroy me like this without consequences!” “Karline__” he started, but I cut him off, my voice breaking into a scream. “You’ll regret this, Reid! You’ll regret doubting me! You’ll regret ever believing him over me!” The room went still. My own words shook the air between us, heavy with fury and heartbreak. His face flickered shock, then guilt, then hardening again as he looked away. I clenched my fists, my body trembling. “I’ll prove it to you. I don’t care what it takes, I’ll prove I never betrayed you. And when I do…” My voice cracked, softer but sharper. “…you’ll remember this moment. You’ll remember how you broke me when I needed you most.” Silence swallowed us both. My scream still echoed in my ears, my chest rising and falling violently. For the first time, I saw Reid look at me not with anger, but with something else, fear. It had been a month. Thirty days of living with a man who felt more like a ghost than my husband. Reid still came home every night, but he might as well have been living on the other side of the world. His side of the bed stayed untouched. He slept in the guest room. He never once touched the food I cooked, not even a sip of coffee. And worst of all, he stopped looking at me. *** I set the table as always, toast, eggs, fresh coffee. My hands were steady now, not trembling like before. I told myself I wasn’t expecting anything anymore. Reid walked in, his tie already in place, his jacket slung neatly over his arm. He glanced at the spread of food and then past me, as though I were air. “Morning,” I tried softly. “Morning.” His tone was flat, clipped. He reached for the keys on the counter instead of the plate in front of him. “You’re not eating?” “I’ll grab something at the office.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Reid, we can’t keep living like this. Please, talk to me.” His jaw tightened. He didn’t look at me. “There’s nothing to talk about.” And then he was gone. The coffee went cold. *** I lay in our bed, staring at the ceiling. The silence was deafening. From the guest room down the hall, I heard the faint creak of the mattress, the opening of a drawer, his footsteps. I closed my eyes and whispered into the darkness, “Goodnight, Reid.” No answer came. *** One evening, I walked into the study and froze. Reid was there, his head bowed over documents. His sleeves were rolled up, his glasses perched low on his nose. For a moment, my chest ached with the memory of how I used to curl into that space, my head on his shoulder while he worked. “Do you want some tea?” I asked cautiously. “No.” “Reid…” I stepped closer. “I miss you.” He looked up then, and for just a second, his eyes softened, pain flickering across them. But it was gone as quickly as it came. He closed the file in front of him and stood. “I have work to finish.” And he walked past me, leaving me standing in the doorway, my heart in pieces. *** Sometimes he didn’t even come home until after midnight. I smelled perfume on his jacket once, not mine. My stomach twisted, but I didn’t dare ask. The few times I mentioned Natalie’s name, his expression turned to stone. “Don’t start,” he warned coldly. So I stopped asking. But the silence between us grew heavier by the day. *** ONE MOTHER LATER. A month ago, I had screamed at him that he would regret doubting me. Now, I wasn’t sure who was regretting more, him, for believing Adrian… or me, for still loving a man who had already shut me out. And how should I confront him that I am pregnant?