My Husband’s Children

In my bedroom, I quietly packed my clothes. The mirror reflected my haggard face and the perfume Daniel had given me. He said it was a limited edition scent he had purposely brought back from Paris.

How ironic.

“Emma.” Daniel’s voice came from behind me, startling me. The perfume bottle slipped from my hands and shattered on the floor.

“Watch out!” He rushed over to me and grabbed my hand to check for scratches. The light of the chandelier shone on his frown of worry, like that of an investment banker staring at the stock market.

He finally heaved a sigh of relief when he saw I was unhurt, calling out the door. “Maria! Come and clean the floor. We can’t let Emma get hurt!”

His acts of concern used to move me, but after overhearing his conversation with his mother, his pretense only made me sick to my stomach.

“Don’t you have dinner with the board of directors tonight?” I stared at his reflection in the mirror, my tone calm.

He began to fidget with his tie. It was his habit whenever he became nervous.

I had held a bit of hope when I asked him that question. I hoped he would say, “I missed you”, or “I want to be with you.” Instead, he said…

“The Winstons want us to take in two kids. They’re Victoria’s cousin’s children, and she insists we have to take care of them while they’re studying in New York.”

His tone was audibly frustrated and helpless, as if he had no choice but to accept the arrangements.

The twilight rays shining through the glass window colored his handsome side profile golden. I had loved that face for five years, but now the piercing light left me unable to even look at him.

“The company needs the Winstons’ investment. I can’t refuse them.” He suddenly held my cold hand, his warmth transferring to my skin. His thumb rubbed the back of my hand gently, as though soothing me. “Don’t worry, I’ll arrange them to stay in the guest room. They won’t bother you.”

There it was. I was silent for a moment before pulling my hand back. “Whatever you say.”

My tone was perfectly even, as though I was discussing the stock prices and not the enormous rift in our relationship.

He looked visibly relieved, his expression relaxed as he immediately took up his phone. “Maria, make Emma some chamomile tea. She hasn’t been sleeping well lately. Oh, and add some honey. Emma likes her tea sweet.”

He remembered my preferences, my sleep quality, and all the details of my life.

However, he also remembered the kind of wine Victoria liked, the address of her manor in Switzerland, and how best to manage the kids.

His steps were noticeably faster as he left, his leather shoes clacking against the wooden floorboards.

I scoffed at his vanishing back. Who was he so eager to report back to?

Once I was sure he was gone, I took an envelope out of the safe. It was the inheritance my father left me before he passed. He told me to use this money to start afresh if I ever felt my life was at a dead end.

Perfect. From now on, my baby only needed their mother’s love! Who said a child had to have a father?

“Emma?” Daniel’s voice reached me again, and I nearly dropped the envelope. He had returned without me knowing, his eyes fixed on the envelope in my hands. “What are you doing with your father’s inheritance?”

“Didn’t you leave already?” I fought to remain calm as I put the envelope back into the safe.

He walked over to me and sat on the edge of the bed, holding my face with both hands and eyes full of concern. “Something feels off with you today. Are you unwell?”

His brown eyes were utterly devoted. If I had not seen his marriage records myself, I would have believed that he was still the man who held the umbrella for me on those rainy nights.

“I don’t want to take in those two kids. Let’s raise our own baby instead, can we?”

I regretted those words as soon as I said them. My plea sounded so small and pathetic, but I could not hold back that tiny bit of hope.

Daniel’s expression turned stern. The long silence weighed heavily on us both. I saw the hesitation and contemplation in his eyes, which eventually culminated in a sigh. “Emma, the board already approved it.”

Those few words shattered all of my fantasies.

My disappointment was probably written all over my face, because he held me tight and said tenderly, “I’ll try not to go overseas as much after those kids settle in. Once I start staying at home more, I’m sure we’ll have our own baby soon. Believe me.”

Staring at his familiar features, I remembered how he had hugged me just like this, promising me he would come back soon… right before his flight to Switzerland.

He had come back, but his heart remained in the Alps.

“Alright.” I forced a smile and watched him rush away.

Since the New York administrative system did not contain any records of our marriage, that meant the marriage certificate we obtained in Vegas had no effect. That saved me the trouble of going through a divorce.

Starting today, “Emma Hudson” was no more.