Life With The Men I Love: Lies, Love and Pain

Chapter 10

$$$ INDIA $$$

"Dri, I left you a snack on the dining table," I called as she bounded inside.

"Thanks, Mommy!" she chirped, flashing a bright smile that made my heart skip. She looked so much like Trey when she smiled. It had been six months since I'd seen him, and no amount of calling or texting got any response. I guess now I know what it felt like for him when I'd ghosted him in the past. But Trey made his bed, and now he's lying in it. He says he can't leave Sharon, yet he acted all hurt when I told him I was pregnant with my husband's child. The irony of it all was staggering.

Speaking of my husband, Grey had surprised me by planning a vacation for Adrianna and me. Now we were in Hawaii, and life felt like a dream. Seven months along, surrounded by sun and sea, I couldn't have asked for more.

"Hey, babe," I greeted, approaching him as he relaxed in a hammock.

"Hey," he smiled, reaching out to gently rub my stomach. "How are my girls doing?"

"We're doing just great," I said, feeling a rush of warmth from his touch. "How was golf?"

"Great," he replied, a look of contentment settling on his face.

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself." I was so proud of Grey. He had kept his promise and sought help, seeing a psychiatrist three times a week. The therapy sessions had worked wonders; he'd transformed, treating me with a tenderness I thought was lost. The anger was gone, replaced with the man I had once fallen in love with.

"I can't wait until she's here," he murmured, resting his hand on my belly.

"Neither can I," I smiled, holding his gaze. "It's hard to believe it's almost time."

"You have no idea what I'm feeling inside, India," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "This is my first child. I've been waiting for this forever. You, Adrianna, and now our little angel... I finally have the family I always dreamed of."

Seeing him this happy made my own heart swell with joy. "You being this happy makes me happy. I love where we're at right now, Grey."

"I couldn't agree more." He leaned in to kiss me, and sparks flew between us, igniting something deep. It was like the beginning all over again, with a warmth that could melt anything.

"Grey!" Adrianna's voice cut through the moment.

He sighed but smiled, calling back, "What's up, Adrianna?"

"Can you come here? There's a spider!" she shouted from the other room.

Grey chuckled, giving me a quick kiss. "I'll be back."

"I'll be waiting," I laughed as he headed off to play hero.

[THREE MONTHS LATER]

A month ago, I got a message from Trey. He finally suggested that it was best if we moved forward separately, to focus on our own lives and our current situations. I couldn't agree more—though it took him nine months to finally say it. The closure felt necessary, and maybe it was overdue. I was free.

In more joyful news, a month ago, I welcomed my beautiful daughter, Ivy Elizabeth Salvatore. She was perfect—tiny, with a wild halo of curly hair, round chubby cheeks, and piercing gray eyes just like her daddy's. She was Grey's mirror image, a tiny, precious version of him.

"Say hello to Mommy," I heard Grey say as he walked in with Ivy cradled in his arms and Adrianna bouncing beside him. I turned, feeling my heart swell at the sight of them.

Walking over, I gave each of them a kiss, lifting Dri onto my hip while Grey cooed at Ivy. It was pure joy, a moment of pure love.

I loved my family.