Chapter 3

Derek still didn't come home that night.

And I, still alone, cried until dawn.

This was my new normal since discovering his infidelity. I couldn't sleep when he was home. I couldn't sleep when he wasn't.

It wasn't until the next morning, when I saw a spot of red on my underwear, that I snapped awake, crying hysterically as I rushed to the hospital.

On the way, I called Derek several times.

He didn't pick up.

This was his new habit, ever since I'd 'tolerated' his cheating. He'd reply to my SnapChat whenever he felt like it, or not at all.

It was nothing like before, when I could send him a single emoji and he'd flood me with a dozen messages.

He'd ask if I'd eaten, what my plans were for the day.

My chest tightened again, filled with a familiar pang of bitterness and pain from the memories.

I quickly pushed the thoughts away. I couldn't afford to get upset.

The doctor at my last prenatal check-up had warned me that my emotional stress was putting the baby at risk of miscarriage.

I couldn't lose this baby.

This child was our only link now, Derek's and mine.

My family was counting on this baby to keep the money flowing from Derek.

And I? I was counting on this child to give me some small comfort in this desperate marriage.

But thinking of the baby only brought another wave of sadness.

When I first found out I was pregnant, Derek had been ecstatic, and so was I. We were so excited for this baby to be born.

How, in just five short months, had it become merely a tool to connect Derek and me?

A searing pain erupted in my chest, and the tears I'd been holding back finally broke free. Especially when I arrived at my OB's office and saw Derek gently assisting a girl at the blood draw station.

A crushing wave of despair washed over me.

In the hospital lobby, Derek tenderly stroked the girl's hair.

"Come on, sweetie. Just let the nurse draw some blood so we can see if it's the flu."

The girl pouted playfully up at him. "No, I hate needles."

Derek's lips curved into a soft smile.

"You're such a child."

Then he pulled her into a tight hug and kissed her cheek several times.

This was the first time I'd seen Derek interact with her. From the video that had been sent to my family group chat, I'd always pictured her as wild and provocative.

But now, in person, she seemed so innocent, even a little pure. She reminded me of myself at eighteen.

As I stared, frozen in disbelief, Derek spotted me.

Without a trace of panic, he released the girl and walked towards me.

"What are you doing here?"

I swallowed hard, trying to push past the bitter lump in my throat. I was about to say I was spotting and came for a check-up.

But the next second, Derek cut me off. "Are you stalking me?"

The words I'd been about to say died in my throat.

Derek's angry words continued.

"Willow, I thought we had an understanding, a truce, that we wouldn't make a scene. We agreed to coexist peacefully."

"But I never thought you'd stoop to something so disgusting."

A suffocating pain seized my chest again.

I couldn't believe I looked so monstrous in Derek's eyes now.

Seeing us arguing, the girl Derek had been with walked over.

She tugged on Derek's arm, then looked at me with an apologetic expression.

"Oh, Willow, I'm so sorry. Derek's been under a lot of stress with work lately. His temper's a bit frayed."

Then she turned back to Derek.

"Derek, don't be mad at Willow. She's definitely not stalking you. This is a hospital; she must be here for something important."

With that, the girl walked over and linked her arm through mine.

"Willow, are you not feeling well? Derek told me last night you're still having morning sickness at five months."

"Are you here because something's wrong with the baby? Did you make an appointment? I'll have Derek go with you to see the doctor, okay?"

Her arm linked with mine felt like a poisonous snake coiling.

I wanted to endure it, to suppress the pain in my chest, to smile politely and tell her "no thanks," to thank her.

To calmly explain to Derek that I was just here because of some spotting, a potential miscarriage.

But it had been two months since I discovered Derek's infidelity. I had suppressed too much, restrained too much. The pain had long since exceeded what I could bear.

So, when she provoked me so brazenly, and Derek didn't say a single word in my defense, I finally broke.

I angrily yanked my arm away and took two steps back.

"Why are you touching me? Are you trying to infect me with your flu? Don't you know I'm pregnant? I can't be around sickness!"

I don't know how it happened, but I barely used any force, yet the girl suddenly stumbled and fell to the ground.

Seeing her fall, Derek instantly exploded.

"Willow, what the hell are you doing? Why did you push Skylar?!"

With that, Derek rushed over, roughly pushing me aside, and helped the girl up.

Being shoved by Derek didn't hurt physically, but it was suffocating.

I tried to hold back again, but I couldn't.

"Derek, don't forget I'm your wife! You're openly cuddling with another woman in public! You don't give me any respect, so why should I give you any?!"

As I said this, my fingers, clutching my purse, trembled slightly.

The girl standing beside Derek suddenly burst into tears.

"I'm so sorry, Willow! I... I really didn't mean to! I was just worried about you, that's why I came over and held your arm!"

"Please, I'm begging you, don't argue with Derek! It's my fault! Please, don't be angry!"

Then, the girl suddenly pushed Derek away.

"Derek, you stay here with Willow. I... I'm leaving."

With that, she scurried out of the hospital.

Derek's face instantly turned ashen. He glared at me with pure hatred. "Willow, you are being absolutely ridiculous!"

Then, he didn't spare me another glance, and rushed after the girl.

Watching his retreating back, tears streamed down my face.

Ridiculous?

So, he cheats, and if I dare to question it, I'm deemed ridiculous?

My chest throbbed with a numb ache.

Just then, the nurse called, asking why I hadn't arrived for my appointment.

I wiped my tears and walked towards the examination room.

Thankfully, the results were good. The spotting was still due to a threatened miscarriage, but I only needed medication and bed rest at home; no hospitalization was required.

As I left, the doctor reminded me to absolutely, absolutely avoid emotional agitation. If I kept stressing myself out, there was a high chance I could lose the baby.

A dense, throbbing pain flared in my chest.

Leaving the hospital, I hardened my resolve once more.

I was done. Truly, truly done letting Derek yank my strings.

My baby was all that mattered.

But then, my father called that night.

His voice, frayed with age, was thick with exhaustion.

"Willow, honey... Could you ask Derek something? Ask him why he's decided to stop covering the company's interest payments next month."

I calmly told Dad I'd ask him that night. But the moment I hung up, I couldn't hold back the sobs.

I hadn't realized Skylar, that girl, was that important. Important enough that merely a few harsh words from me that afternoon, and Derek was cutting off my father's funds to manipulate me.

A wave of disgust washed over me.

But it was nothing compared to the crushing despair that followed. Despair for this broken, rotting marriage I was trapped in.