Forbidden Desires: The Neighbour Next Door

Shattered Illusions

Chloe's 18th birthday came and went in a blur of celebration. The house was filled with laughter, clinking glasses, and a sense of normalcy that seemed almost surreal. It was as though nothing had happened between Ethan, Isabelle, and Chloe. To an outsider, it was a picture-perfect evening—Chloe beamed, surrounded by friends and family, and Ethan played the role of the doting husband with Sarah by his side. Isabelle, of course, was absent, resting at home as she focused on the baby growing inside her.

Chloe tried her luck now and then during the party, brushing past Ethan with lingering touches, her eyes locking with his in moments that stretched just a little too long. She wore her new maturity like a weapon, testing the waters, but Ethan kept his distance. He remained on edge, watching her every move, determined not to let her pull him into anything more. He could feel the tension between them simmering beneath the surface, but he kept his focus on Sarah and Isabelle, making sure they remained unaware of the dangerous game Chloe was still playing.

Two weeks passed in the blink of an eye, and with each passing day, the weight of the truth pressed down on Ethan harder. The baby was growing, the secret between him and Isabelle growing with it, and he knew the time had come to face what he had been putting off for too long.

One evening, after an uncomfortable silence over dinner, Ethan took a deep breath and approached Sarah. His heart pounded in his chest as he clutched the divorce papers in his hand. He had rehearsed this conversation in his head countless times, but now that the moment had arrived, everything felt impossibly real.

"Sarah," he began, his voice quiet yet firm as he stood in the living room, looking at her across the room. She was sitting on the sofa, flipping through a magazine, unaware of the storm brewing just a few feet away.

She glanced up at him, a smile playing on her lips. "Yes, love?"

He swallowed hard, stepping forward. "We need to talk."

There was something in his tone that made Sarah frown. She set the magazine down and sat up straighter. "What's the matter?"

Ethan's hand tightened around the papers as he walked closer, each step feeling heavier than the last. "This isn't easy for me to say... but it's time."

Sarah's brow furrowed, confusion clouding her features. "What do you mean? Time for what?"

Ethan took a deep breath, his heart racing as he slowly extended the divorce papers towards her. "It's time to move on, Sarah. We can't keep living like this."

Her eyes widened, disbelief washing over her as she stared at the papers in his hand. "What... what is this?" Her voice cracked, her hand trembling as she reached for the documents. She scanned the first page, her eyes darting back up to meet his. "Divorce? You're... you're divorcing me?"

Ethan nodded, his throat tight. "Sarah, I need you to listen. This has nothing to do with anything you've done. You deserve better than this—better than me. But... I've been yearning for something that we haven't had, for a family, for a child, a complete family. And I know you're not ready for that. I need something different now, and you... you deserve someone who can give you everything you want."

Sarah's face went pale, her eyes filled with shock and hurt. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You've... you've been thinking about this? About leaving me?" Her voice wavered, and she shook her head as if trying to shake off the reality of the situation. "Ethan, just yesterday we were..." She trailed off, her voice breaking. "Just yesterday, we were still... passionate in bed. How did all this happen? How could you do this to me?"

The anguish in her voice hit Ethan like a punch to the gut. He had expected this reaction, but it didn't make it any easier to face. He took a step closer, reaching out to touch her arm, but she flinched away from him, her eyes filled with betrayal.

"Sarah, I didn't plan for things to happen this way. I never wanted to hurt you. But we've been drifting apart for a long time, haven't we? I've been feeling this emptiness, this need for something more, for a child... and I know it's not your priority. We've talked about it so many times, and I've tried to respect your wishes. But I can't deny that need any longer."

Sarah's eyes filled with tears, her face contorting in pain. "But I thought... I thought we were happy, Ethan. I thought we were still connected. I didn't realise you felt like this."

Ethan's heart broke at the sight of her tears, but he knew he had to be honest. "I've been trying to hide it, for both of our sakes. But I can't keep pretending, Sarah. I've met someone... and she's pregnant. I'm going to be a father."

The words hung in the air like a death knell, and Sarah's face went white. Her hands trembled as she gripped the divorce papers tightly, her knuckles turning pale. "Pregnant?" she whispered, the word barely audible. "You've met someone else?"

Ethan nodded slowly, the guilt twisting in his stomach. "Yes. It wasn't supposed to happen like this, but it did. And now... now we're having a baby. I need to do the right thing, for her and the child."

Sarah's breath hitched, and she stood abruptly, the papers falling from her hands and scattering onto the floor. "How could you?" she choked, her voice full of raw emotion. "How could you do this to me? After everything we've been through?"

"I never wanted to hurt you," Ethan said softly, taking a step back as the weight of his actions settled between them. "But I can't lie to you anymore. We've both been holding on to something that isn't there. You deserve a man who can give you everything you want, and I'm not that man anymore."

Sarah's hands trembled as she pressed them to her chest, her breathing shaky. "I don't believe this," she whispered. "Just yesterday, everything was fine. And now... now you're telling me it's all over?"

Ethan nodded his throat tight with the sadness of what was unfolding. "I'm sorry, Sarah. I truly am."

But Sarah wasn't ready to accept it. She shook her head, her face crumpling in pain as the tears streamed down her cheeks. "I won't accept this, Ethan. I won't let you leave me."

Ethan sighed heavily, knowing this conversation wasn't over—not by a long shot.