002 Breaking point

***

~~Delilah~~

***

Every nerve in my body is buzzing like it's been plugged into an electric fence.

I don't move.

Didn't even blink.

My brain is trying not to combust.

What the hell does he mean Ashley's pregnant?

What— where do I stand?

I…..I thought he said he was okay with us trying?

Ashley is back, his first love and pregnant.

I'm freaking out.

I am so, so freaking out.

Soren stands and moves to me. “I— I didn't mean for it to happen. It was a mistake,” he says placing a hand on my shoulder.

I fight a snort. A mistake?

No, it's not.

It takes two sane people to make babies.

I twist my head to glare at him. “You cheated on me, Soren. That's not a mistake,” my voice shakes.

He takes my hand. “I was drunk, we both were. I…I met Ashley at Knox’s lounge. I didn't know how to tell you. But then she found out she's pregnant. I can't abandon her, Lilah. You know how hard we've been trying,”

It starts to click, the call he got three nights ago, the way he hurried out that night.

It wasn't work.

It was Ashley.

I suck in a sharp breath, my chest tightens so hard, tears blur my vision. All I could feel was pain.

I shift my gaze to Ashley, her eyes are on my diamond ring and I could've sworn I saw her smirk.

But it's gone as quickly as it came. “I'm sorry, Delilah. I feel terrible. I didn't know Soren was married, I wouldn't intentionally want to ruin your home,”

Fake tears.

Fake emotions.

I see it. She can't fool me.

I sniffled. “So what now?” I ask, my gaze back to Soren. “Where do I stand in all of this?”

His hands comes up slowly, fingers sliding into my hair with the kind of quiet tenderness that has my heart racing.

Then he lifts my chin, his eyes staring right into my soul. “You're my wife, Lilah. You'll always be. We'd take care of Ashley till the baby's born, that's all.”

I hold my breath, trying not to soften into jelly. It's the first time he's saying that to me, calling me his wife, calling me his.

But the latter isn't adding up.

I don't buy it, not one bit.

Ashley Garcia isn't someone who just shows up.

An award winning model ready to give up her body just to carry a baby.

Soren’s family oriented. He– he just doesn't get it.

Ashley won't give up her baby. She's here to stay, to take Soren back.

I can see it in her face, her posture, every damn thing about her screams trouble.

And her acting all sorry and remorseful makes me sick. That face can't deceive me. I know who she is, I know what she's like.

I take a deep breath, unable to say a word.

I don't know how to react to this betrayal. And Soren just says it like none of this is wrong.

His eyes are on me, searching mine, waiting with bated breath.

But there's nothing normal about this.

I yank his hand off me and stand, walking away fast.

He follows.

“Lilah,” he says behind me. “Please stop, don't do this,”

I don't. I need air, space to breathe.

But Soren wouldn't let me.

He picks up his steps and enters the room just before I can slam the door shut.

I spin and lift a finger at him. “If this is one hell of a sick joke, then you need to stop, Soren.”

He waves a hand. “It's not. Ashley is pregnant. I have the test result,” he proceeds to dig into his pocket, digging out an envelope.

I fling it off, tears prickling at the corner of my eyes. “I turn another year today and the gift you thought to give me was this?” I breathed out, eyes wide and feral.

There's a moment of pause.

His eyes lingers on me and he runs a hand through his hair.

Of course he forgot.

“It skipped my mind. I'll make it up to you,”

I laugh without meaning it.

That's the problem. He thinks money fixes it all.

He doesn't know a damn thing.

I shut my eyes, summoning the heavens to help me deal with this.

Soren’s in dire need of an heir.

He's from a traditional home and if he turns thirty without an heir, he'd lose his inheritance to his step-mom and sibling.

I can't give him that.

Ashley can.

She's pregnant with Soren's child. Do I really have the heart to deny him that?

I'm hurt, more than anything but looking at Soren. I– just feel lost, confused.

Soren sure isn't in love with me. He's warm, kind when he wants to and that's it. 

Ashley the woman who he loves is back and pregnant, this should be the point where we call it quit.

Yet, he doesn't want to.

It's hard to tell what he really wants from me.

I let the tears fall.

He inches closer, wipes it off. “Please, Lilah. Do this for me, for the baby,” he begs.

A sudden lump forms in my throat.

I should say no.

Does that make me a bad wife?

I swallow, taking a step back. I hate that I'm doing this. “Right. For the baby,” I choked out.

******

It's past 7PM and Ashley's seated on the couch, a glass of juice in hand, like she owns the place.

Soren is sitting next to her.

I pause at the bottom of the stairs. “When is she leaving?” I ask, my eyes darting at them.

Soren looks at me like I'm being ridiculous but he answers still. “Ashley stays till I get a place for her,”

My throat goes dry.

“I'm sorry — what?”

Ashley tilts her head. “Look, Soren. I can manage my old apartment. I don't want to be a burden,”

Soren eyes me carefully and then turns to her. “I won't let you stay there, it's not safe.”

“I know but Delilah isn't comfortable with me here,”

Soren shifts his gaze to me. “She is, right Lilah?”

I gulp nothing.

My chest feels so tight I can't breathe right.

God.

I want to shrink.

A tight knot forms in my stomach but I nod slowly. “Right. We all want a healthy baby,”

A smile settles on her lips and she goes back to sipping her drink.

I'm reeling inside.

Soren stands. “Come Ashley. I'll show you to your room,”

My heart aches. He seems so excited, too eager to help.

I haven't seen him show this level of concern to anyone, and it hurts me.

I watch him guide her up the stairs, and right there I see it again.

A smirk thrown my way, passing a silent message that hits louder than any word ever could.