His Love Not Mine Alone

I said firmly, "Since it's business, you should go. Don't worry about me."

With that, he hastily pressed a kiss to my forehead and strode away.

Watching his car speed away, my vision blurred with unshed tears.

This was the first time Julian had broken a promise to me for another woman, and it would be the last.

After he left, the unease in my chest refused to settle. I drove straight to his company, determined to confront him and demand an answer.

Through the one-way glass of the top-floor office, I saw them looking every bit the loving couple.

Julian held Ava in his arms as she leaned softly against him.

“Didn’t I tell you to stay away from Chloe? Why can’t you listen?”

Plump tears rolled down her delicate face. She pouted, her voice thick with hurt.

"Julian, I just wanted to share the good news with you. I didn't mean for her to find out."

She lowered her gaze to her stomach.

“I went to the hospital... Julian, we’re having a baby! I was so happy, I couldn’t help but call you. Why are you being so harsh? You're scaring me and the baby..."

Julian stood stunned for a long moment before the words registered.

"You're pregnant? Then you can't be running around anymore. It's not good for the baby."

Ava wrapped her arms around his, swinging their joined hands playfully.

"I'll listen to you. Then can you spend the day with me? I don't know why, but ever since I got pregnant, I miss you even more."

Julian's voice turned cold.

"No. I promised Chloe I'd take her to the exhibition today."

Ava bit her lip, unwilling to give up, her eyes welling with pitiful tears.

"Fine, then. I guess the baby and I will just have to sit in that cold villa, waiting for Mr. Sterling to come home."

Conflict flashed in his eyes before he sighed, defeated.

"This is the last time."

Her eyes lit up. She jumped for joy and pressed a giddy kiss on his cheek.

Julian watched her bouncing around and frowned.

"Be careful. You're about to be a mother, how can you still be so reckless?"

Watching their intimate gestures, it felt as if a dull knife was sawing through my heart.

In all our years of marriage, he had only ever looked at me with that kind of gentleness.

In the business world, everyone said he was a cold, decisive titan of industry. Only at home would he show me his tender, affectionate side.

Now, that tenderness was being given to another woman.

His love was no longer mine alone.

Their car sped away, and I gritted my teeth and followed them.

Julian took Ava to many of the art galleries and restaurants we had once visited together.

The places that held our memories were now being tainted with new ones he was making with her.

At dusk, they embraced in Central Park, wrapped in each other’s arms.

I stood quietly in the distance, not knowing how long I watched.

Only when my eyes began to burn did I slowly close them.

Back in the car, I instructed the driver in a cold voice, "Home."