Chapter 6 - THE DAY DOMINIC FOUND OUT
Dominic learned about the pregnancy through a letter from my attorney.
Not because I wanted to hurt him.
Because I wanted the information communicated clearly, without threats or emotional pressure.
Rebecca prepared a formal notice.
It confirmed the pregnancy.
It explained that future parenting arrangements would be addressed through appropriate legal channels.
And it requested that Dominic communicate through counsel regarding the divorce.
I signed it.
Then waited.
He called fourteen minutes after receiving it.
I didn't answer.
He called again.
Then again.
Finally, a message appeared.
Emma. Is it true?
I stared at the screen.
Another message followed.
You're pregnant?
Then:
With my child?
I closed my eyes.
I knew he was shocked.
I also knew that after everything he'd done, I couldn't let his shock become my responsibility.
I replied once.
Yes. Please communicate through Rebecca.
He called again.
I switched off the phone.
According to Gabriel, Dominic was in his study when the letter arrived.
He opened it while standing beside the window.
Read the first paragraph.
Then sat down.
For several minutes, he didn't speak.
Gabriel asked what was wrong.
Dominic handed him the letter.
Gabriel read it.
Then whispered:
"Emma's pregnant?"
Dominic nodded.
His face was pale.
Gabriel sat opposite him.
"Did you know?"
Dominic shook his head.
"No."
A long silence followed.
Then Dominic said:
"She was going to tell me."
Gabriel looked up.
"What?"
Dominic stared at the floor.
"At the hospital."
He remembered my purse.
The way I'd held it against my chest.
The way I'd looked at him when Vanessa cried out.
He closed his eyes.
"She was going to tell me."
Gabriel said nothing.
Dominic covered his face.
"I told her to go home and wait."
His voice broke.
"And then I went back to Vanessa."
That evening, Dominic drove to Galena.
He'd obtained the farmhouse address through records associated with our marriage.
When I saw his black SUV turn onto the gravel driveway, my stomach dropped.
I stepped onto the porch.
He got out slowly.
For a moment, we stared at each other.
He looked exhausted.
His dark hair was disheveled.
His eyes were red.
"Emma."
I folded my arms.
"You shouldn't be here."
He swallowed.
"I needed to see you."
"You should have called Rebecca."
He stepped closer.
"You're pregnant."
"Yes."
His face crumpled.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
I stared at him.
Then asked quietly:
"When?"
He froze.
I continued.
"When you were pretending not to hear me?"
His eyes filled.
"When you were sleeping with Vanessa?"
He looked down.
"Or when you kissed my forehead and told me to wait at home while you ran back to her?"
He began crying.
"Emma—"
I shook my head.
"I was going to tell you that night."
His face twisted.
"I know."
"No, Dominic."
My voice broke.
"You don't know."
I touched my stomach.
"I stood in that hospital hallway holding a picture of our baby."
He covered his mouth.
"And I watched you choose someone else."
Silence.
Then he whispered:
"I'm sorry."
I looked at him.
For five years, I'd wanted him to say those words.
Now they felt painfully small.
"I believe you regret what happened," I said.
His eyes lifted.
"But regret doesn't erase it."
He nodded.
I continued.
"You need to leave."
He stared.
"Emma, please."
"No."
I stepped back.
"We'll discuss the baby through our attorneys."
His expression crumpled.
"I want to be a father."
I swallowed.
"Then you'll have to learn how to be one without controlling me."
He stood motionless.
Then slowly nodded.
"I understand."
I wasn't sure he did.
But for once, he didn't argue.
He returned to his SUV.
And drove away.
I watched until the taillights disappeared.
Then I went inside, locked the door, and cried.
May you like
Not because I wanted him back.
Because even the right decision could hurt.
