Chapter 5 - THE HUSBAND WHO ARRIVED TOO LATE
Natalie left the hospital the following afternoon.
Rebecca drove her to a small townhouse in Brooklyn.
It belonged to Rebecca's aunt, who was spending the winter in Florida.
The house had three bedrooms.
A narrow staircase.
And a tiny garden behind the kitchen.
Natalie stood in the doorway.
For the first time in years, nobody was waiting to tell her what she should wear.
What she should say.
Where she should sit.
Rebecca carried her bag upstairs.
“You can stay as long as you need.”
Natalie smiled through tears.
“Thank you.”
She walked into the kitchen.
A yellow teapot sat beside the stove.
There were mismatched mugs.
A bowl of oranges.
And a small vase of fresh flowers.
Nothing expensive.
Nothing impressive.
But everything felt peaceful.
Natalie sat at the table.
Then placed her hand over her abdomen.
“We're going to be okay,” she whispered.
She didn't know whether that was true.
But she wanted to believe it.
---
Matteo found the townhouse three days later.
He didn't force his way inside.
He stood outside the gate.
Natalie saw him through the window.
Black coat.
Dark hair.
A face she had once loved more than anything.
Her heart tightened.
Rebecca appeared beside her.
“Want me to tell him to leave?”
Natalie considered it.
Then shook her head.
“I'll talk to him.”
She stepped onto the porch.
Matteo looked up.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then he whispered, “Natalie.”
She folded her arms.
“What do you want?”
His eyes moved toward her stomach.
She noticed.
Her expression hardened.
“Don't.”
He looked back at her face.
“Are you all right?”
She stared.
“That's your first question?”
Matteo swallowed.
“I heard you were in the hospital.”
“Yes.”
“Was the baby—”
“The baby is alive.”
His eyes filled.
Natalie continued.
“And I intend to keep my stress as low as possible.”
He nodded.
“Of course.”
She looked at him.
“Then you should leave.”
Matteo stared.
“Natalie, please.”
She shook her head.
“You don't get to humiliate me in front of two hundred people and then arrive at my door expecting gratitude because you finally care.”
His face crumpled.
“I know.”
She swallowed.
“No, Matteo.”
May you like
Her voice broke.
“You don't.”
