Chapter 7 - THE HUSBAND WHO WANTED TWO FAMILIES
Vincent began sending flowers to my apartment.
Every morning.
White roses.
Pink tulips.
Lilies.
Once, an enormous arrangement of orchids arrived with a handwritten card.
For the mother of my child. I still love you.
I threw the card away.
I donated the flowers to a nearby assisted-living center.
The residents appreciated them far more than I did.
---
Two weeks into January, I received an invitation to a family dinner at Margaret Moretti's home.
I declined.
Margaret called five minutes later.
"Claire, this situation has gone far enough."
I stared at the phone.
"Which situation?"
"The divorce."
"It's proceeding."
"Vincent told me you're pregnant."
"Yes."
She exhaled.
"Then surely you understand why you need to reconsider."
I laughed.
"Reconsider what?"
"Children need both parents."
"I agree that children benefit from dependable adults."
"Then don't deprive Vincent of his child."
"I haven't. We're arranging appropriate legal communication."
Margaret's voice hardened.
"You're making this difficult."
I felt something inside me settle.
For years, I had tried to earn her approval.
I remembered staying late after hospital shifts to help decorate her house.
Preparing Thanksgiving dinner when she was ill.
Driving her to appointments.
I had treated her like a mother.
And now she treated me like an obstacle.
"Margaret," I said calmly, "your son maintained a second relationship for three years and concealed it from me while we were married. The consequences belong to him."
She was silent.
Then she said, "Vanessa is carrying his child too."
"Yes."
"You can't expect him to abandon her."
"I don't."
"Then what do you want?"
The answer surprised me with its simplicity.
"Peace."
I ended the call.
---
A week later, Vincent requested a meeting through our attorneys.
Rebecca advised me that a structured conversation might help establish boundaries.
We met in her office.
Vincent arrived looking exhausted.
He sat opposite me, twisting his wedding ring.
"How's the baby?"
"Doing well."
"Can I see the ultrasound?"
I hesitated.
Then I handed him a copy.
He stared at the photograph.
For several seconds, he didn't speak.
Then tears rolled down his cheeks.
"Is everything okay?"
"Yes."
He wiped his face.
"Do you know whether it's a boy or girl?"
"Not yet."
He nodded.
Then he said, "I want to be involved."
Rebecca leaned forward.
"That can be addressed through a lawful parenting arrangement, with Claire's health and the baby's welfare as priorities."
Vincent looked at me.
"Does that mean you'll let me come to appointments?"
"Some appointments may be appropriate later. Right now, I need space."
He swallowed.
"Okay."
I was surprised.
Then he said, "I told Vanessa about the baby."
My stomach tightened.
"What did she say?"
"She's upset."
"That doesn't change anything."
"She thinks you're trying to get me back."
I stared at him.
"Vincent, I filed for divorce before you knew I was pregnant."
"I told her that."
"And?"
He looked away.
"She doesn't believe me."
I leaned back.
For the first time, I wondered whether Vincent had lied to Vanessa so often that she no longer knew how to recognize the truth.
Then Rebecca asked the question I had been waiting to hear.
"Vincent, did you legally marry Vanessa?"
He went pale.
"No."
I stared at him.
"No?"
"We had a ceremony."
"At a courthouse?"
He hesitated.
"It was held in a municipal building near the courthouse. A private officiant conducted it."
Rebecca took notes.
"Was a marriage license issued?"
"No valid license."
"Did Vanessa know you were still married to Claire?"
Vincent closed his eyes.
"She knew I wasn't divorced."
I felt the room go quiet.
"So you let her believe she was your wife."
"She wanted a commitment."
"And you wanted to keep both of us."
He looked at me.
His silence confirmed it.
I stood.
Rebecca touched my arm.
"Claire—"
"I'm fine."
I turned toward Vincent.
"You didn't want two families because you loved two women."
He looked up.
"You wanted two families because you couldn't stand losing what either one gave you."
His eyes filled.
"Claire, I know I've been selfish."
I nodded.
"Then start being honest."
I walked out of the office.
---
That evening, a message arrived from Vanessa.
You think you've won because you're pregnant. But there's something you don't know about Vincent. Ask him why he visited Northbridge every month.
I stared at the screen.
Then another message appeared.
And ask him whose name was on the original fertility contract.
The message disappeared moments later.
I had saved screenshots.
I called Rebecca.
"There's more."
She sighed.
May you like
"With Vincent, there always seems to be."
---
