When My Groom Marries Another

My mind went blank as I watched Henry and Yvette walk into the living room. The entire room went silent as I stayed rooted to the spot with my luggage in tow.

Henry used to tell me that he didn't like children. He even asked if we could lead a childless, dual-income lifestyle in the future. Since keeping each other company for the rest of our lives didn't sound too bad, I agreed to his request.

I marched toward the living room.

Henry handed Yvette a glass of water. She seemed to be feeling better after taking a few sips.

"Didn't you tell me that you disliked children? Why is she pregnant?" I approached Henry and questioned him furiously.

Henry deliberately chose to ignore me when he saw how worked up I was. Instead, he continued to rub Yvette's back and disregarded me.

Yvette set the cup down and hastily began to apologize to me. "I'm sorry, Yvette. This is all my fault. I couldn't stop myself. Please don't blame this on Henry," she pleaded.

"As a man, I should be responsible for my own actions," Henry declared. "The baby is mine. Do you have a problem with that, Natasha?"

His words made my blood run cold. I instantly froze in place.

The autumn breeze that seeped through the balcony felt cold. I was heartbroken.

I had anticipated this response. However, hearing the actual words come out of his own mouth was still gut-wrenching nonetheless.

He didn't actually dislike kids. He just didn't want to have them with me.

"Shameless!" I yelled before slapping him across the face. He didn't avoid it or even fight back. He simply stood there and allowed me to do as I pleased.

Yvette let out a startled yell before gently caressing Henry's face.

"Are you okay, Henry?" she asked, her eyes pooling with tears.

"This is all your fault!" I screamed again.

I reached out to slap Yvette, too. If it weren't for her, things wouldn't have gotten so complicated between us.

Before I could touch her, Henry grabbed me. He held onto my wrist so tightly that I thought it would break.

"You can hit me all you want, but don't you dare lay a finger on Yvette!" he barked and shoved me aside.

I fell onto the couch. His cold and steely expression felt incredibly foreign. Was this still the same boy I grew up with?

I willed myself not to cry. Then, I pointed at the door and started screaming at him.

"Pack up your belongings and get out, Henry. Get out now!"

Yvette, who was still tending to Henry's bruised cheek, had started sobbing.

"I'm sorry, Henry. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have gotten slapped," she cried.

"Don't apologize." Henry shook his head and started comforting her instead. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to be with you. Don't cry, Yvette. I don't want this to affect your health. Don't worry. I'll take care of you and our baby no matter what."

Yvette frowned and lowered her head. After briefly hesitating, she said, "I have less than two years left to live. Will our baby be without a mother right after they're born?"

Henry lowered his head to think. A while later, he abruptly looked at me. Once he got to his feet, he started speaking to me in a more civilized manner.

"I can consider staying with you, Natasha. I can also marry you after Yvette passes away. However, I have one condition."