How To Keep a Husband

Chapter 19

"Annette." Was all he said as he stared at me.

"It's you." He took a step forward and I took a step back.

"You look so beautiful. You have no idea how much I missed you."

"Nathan, what a surprise!" Candace said as she walked outside.

"Hey Mom, I was just passing through to collect some stuff from the basement."

"Oh I see, come in then."

Nathan walked past me, our eyes locked as he went inside.

I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe him! The fucking audacity to say he missed me. I still couldn't look at him the same, not after the way he treated me.

I closed the door and went upstairs. Why did he of all people have to show up?

Then I got a text message from an unknown number.

It was just a smiley face and the text that followed stated:

"Be careful."

What the fuck? Who the hell is doing this shit? I bet it's the same person from New York. But I left so there shouldn't be a problem.

I went out on the balcony and took some fresh air. I calmed my mind and allowed myself to relax. This is too much.

"Annette, can we just talk?" Nathan asked.

"Leave me alone."

"Annette, I told you that I didn't mean to hurt you. It just happened. I don't know how but that doesn't mean it was right. I'm sorry."

"And now you're gonna marry her. Sounds like an accident right?" I laughed sarcastically.

"Well, she's pregnant with my baby. What do you expect? I want my child to be born into a stable family. Not some broken home." 

"A broken home? You broke our home chasing that woman. But I'm happy for you. Enjoy your life! But leave me out of it."

"I can't just leave you out. I've known you forever. You're the first woman I've loved."

"I might have been your first but I wasn't your last. We were perfect until we weren't Nathan." I whispered and he raked his hands through his hair.

"Do you know how it feels to be without you? It hurts to live without you. It does. It's so painful. Sure, I have Evie but you, you're the perfect woman. You're so beautiful, smart, sweet, and adorable. You always speak your mind. You're so amazing and I know you know that. That's why you're too good for me. I will always love you Annette and nothing can change that."

"You saw our happy marriage and decided to tear it apart instead of communicating and trying to figure out what's wrong. We wouldn't have to be in this situation. You told me that it's because I couldn't have kids that's why you cheated. You did that so you could have kids with her?"

"No that wasn't my goal. I just wanted to take my mind off things. Evie was like an escape."

"I don't care anymore, Nathan. I've moved on and this conversation is probably closure for only you. So go have fun with your "escape". It doesn't matter to me. Not anymore."

"I need you in my life, even if it's as a friend."

"No, you don't. I was your wife now you want to just be friends? Are you kidding me? And Evie is your wife right?"

"I can't leave my kid fatherless Annie." He sighed.

"Oh but you're fine leaving the other child fatherless?" I snapped. I didn't want him in my life but I was annoyed. Annoyed that he was staying with Evie because of the child. They were going to be a family.