After Our Fall-out, I Dodged His Enticements

While bringing Ryan his milk, he seemed engrossed in his laptop, oblivious to my approach.

"Looking at kids' clothes now?"

I peeked at the screen. There was a young boy modeled two distinct outfits.

Ryan accepted the milk. "A buddy of mine is thinking of launching a kids' line. Just giving it a look. Which do you prefer?"

I studied the photos. "The left one looks sharp, like a tiny gentleman."

He nodded, taking a sip of milk.

I didn't miss the slow smile creeping across his face.

That smile was his tell—it always appeared when he moved from anxious to at ease.

Maybe he hadn't expected that me, his official wife, helping his mistress choose outfits for their kid would be so exhilarating.

Just before entering, I'd seen a new post by Sherry, displaying similar photos online, trying to gauge if her followers agreed with the kid's dad's taste.

I leaned on the desk, slowly sitting down opposite Ryan. "Ryan, maybe we should have a kid."

His smile dropped instantly. "Hannah, we agreed on no kids."

"Maybe it's time to rethink that."

"Are you backing out on our agreement now? Look, work's crazy, I can't manage both you and a kid."

His words were icy, sending a chill down my spine.

We can't back out on our agreement?

He'd sworn there'd never be anyone else, yet here we were.

He had the energy for a holiday fling but none for his wife.