A Lifetime of Regret for Unattainable Dreams

After reading the message, my knees gave out. Immediately, I collapsed onto the floor. All my suspicions had just become reality.

Vanessa really had cheated on me.

We had been married for five years, yet her child with Addison was already three years old. That meant she betrayed me barely a year into our marriage. No … it might be even earlier.

My hands trembled as memories surfaced. Three years ago, she left for half a year, claiming she had a business trip overseas. I didn’t question it at the time. Instead, I trusted her completely.

But now, I realized the truth. Vanessa wasn’t away for work. She was pregnant.

During those six months, Vanessa wasn’t in meetings or traveling. Rather, she was giving birth to her affair child. The knowledge of it made my chest tighten, making it hard to breathe.

The truth was Vanessa wasn’t struggling with infertility. She just didn’t want to have my child. I was still trying to process everything when Vanessa walked into the bedroom.

She saw me sitting on the floor and frowned with concern.

"Carl, the floor is cold. Why are you sitting there? Are you feeling unwell?"

Her voice was full of worry, her beautiful eyes soft with concern. It was just like they had been every day for the past eight years. So, I could only clench my phone behind my back and force a smile.

"Maybe I was just too excited about becoming a father. I lost my balance for a second."

Vanessa let out a relieved sigh and carefully helped me to the bed.

"Our little baby," she joked, patting her stomach.

"I can already tell they’re going to be naughty. When they’re born, I’ll have to berate them for making their father so nervous."

Her words were playful and affectionate. In the past, they would have made my heart warm. Now, they only made me sick.

I stared at her and asked quietly, "Vanessa, are you hiding something from me?"

She froze for a second but quickly smiled.

"Carl, we’re husband and wife. What could I possibly hide from you?"

I laughed at myself. What was I expecting?

She didn’t notice my distant expression. Instead, she gently placed a hand over her still flat stomach.

"Tomorrow is my check-up. We’ve waited for this baby for all these years ... I just want to make sure everything is perfect."

Her voice was so tender, so sincere.

If I hadn’t just overheard her conversation, I would have believed her completely.

But now, I wanted to scream. Had she really been waiting for this baby? Or was she just playing another role? Pretending, as always?

I swallowed my emotions and looked away.

"Go to sleep, Vanessa. I’m tired."

The next morning, as I was washing up in the bathroom, my phone buzzed again.

Another message from Addison.

[Addison Blythe: Tell me, Carl. who is more important? My son, or the embryo in her belly that hasn’t even formed yet?]

Before I could even process his words, Vanessa’s phone rang in the living room.

Three minutes later, she stepped into the bathroom and pressed a light kiss on my forehead.

"Carl, something urgent came up at the company. I have to handle it myself."

She smoothed my hair with a gentle smile.

"Don’t worry, I’ll call you when I’m done and we’ll go to the check-up together. I already arranged everything with the doctor. You just have to show up."

Before I could respond, she turned to leave. She didn’t even wait for me to say anything. I clenched my eyes shut, fighting back the tears that burned my throat.

"Vanessa … can you stay? Just this once?"

Vanessa paused. A flicker of hesitation crossed her face. For a moment, I thought she might actually stay. But then, she gave me another smile.

"Be good, Carl. I’ll be back soon. Just listen and wait for me, okay?"

The door closed behind her. After that, the house fell silent. But it was what I needed. Finally, I was able to let the tears fall.