He Missed My Emergency To Deliver Her Dog’s Puppies Chapter 05

He Missed My Emergency To Deliver Her Dog’s Puppies Chapter 05

I staggered back. My right cheek was burning, and a high-pitched ringing filled my ears.

I looked up at him.

For a second, Julian looked as stunned as I was. Like his own hand had betrayed him.

Then he glanced at Stella. At her tears.

And just like that, the shock drained from his face. Something worse took its place. Disgust.

“You don’t get to put your hands on her, Clara. She called you out on your lie and that’s your answer? You used to be a reporter. Truth was supposed to mean something to you.”

“Saying your own parents are dead? What kind of person does that? Have some decency. If not for yourself, then for your baby.”

“Apologize to her. Or take your things and get out. And if you pull something like this again, I’m calling the police.”

I don’t remember the walk home. I was soaked through by the time I got there, clutching what was left of the sweater.

I couldn’t stop shaking.

The rain had washed most of the filth out, but it didn’t matter. The wool was ruined. Nothing but a wet, shapeless heap.

It was supposed to keep me warm. The way she would have, if she were still here.

I sat with it all night. When the sun came up, I tore the divorce papers in half.

Julian was right about one thing. A reporter’s job was the truth.

And I intended to deliver.

…

I woke to something cold against my cheek. The sharp smell of medicated ointment.

Julian was sitting on the edge of the bed, ointment in hand, guilt written all over his face.

“Does it still hurt?”

“I’m sorry. I lost control yesterday. But you shouldn’t have said those things about Stella in front of her customers.”

“She’s single, Clara. Her shop runs on her reputation. What you did could really hurt her.”

I pushed his hand away. Kept my voice even.

“So what?”

Julian hesitated. Then he kept going.

“Could you apologize? Publicly? Just tell people you were hormonal, that the pregnancy got to your head, and you didn’t mean any of it.”

“Her shop’s second anniversary is the day after tomorrow. You know those influencer friends of yours? Maybe you could get them to give her some free promo.”

The ointment on my skin suddenly smelled worse than that litter box.

“Julian. I’m only going to ask this once. Are you sure?”

He couldn’t look at me. But his voice didn’t waver.

“She’s a mess, Clara. Think of it as setting things right. Do it for the baby, if nothing else.”

“If you do this, I’ll be at every appointment. Every single one. And I’ll make this up to you and the baby. I swear.”

I looked at his face for a long time.

I didn’t recognize it anymore.

The silence stretched. Then I smiled.

“Okay.”

He reached for me, relieved. But his phone was already buzzing. Text after text.

I didn’t have to look to know who it was.

He left. Went to her. Of course he did.

But this time, I didn’t care.

A few minutes later, Stella called.

“God, you really are pathetic, aren’t you?”

“Couldn’t just play the good pregnant wife, could you? Had to put on your sad little act to get Julian to come running. And how’d that work out? One text from me and he’s right back at my door.”

“If it wasn’t for that thing in your belly, he would’ve dumped you a long time ago.”

Before tonight, I would’ve hung up.

But this time, my hand drifted to my flat stomach. And I let myself smile.

“Right. And you know I’m carrying his baby. Julian’s parents would never accept a divorce with a baby on the way. And Julian? He’d never let people see him as the guy who left his pregnant wife.”

“And if I had to guess, he’s used protection with you every single time. Am I right?”

Dead silence. That was all the answer I needed.

“So as long as this baby exists, he’s never leaving me for you. You know that.”

“That’s how men work. They fool around, but they always come home.”

“Oh, and one more thing. He told me once the baby’s born, he’s putting everything in the child’s name. Every asset. Which means when the time comes, you get nothing.”

“You? You’re the distraction he keeps around because I can’t sleep with him right now. Honestly, I should be thanking you.”

I could hear her breathing hard on the other end.

“Don’t get comfortable. I’ll make him leave you.”

She didn’t disappoint.

Half an hour later, she sent me a sex tape. Her and Julian.

Along with a voice memo, dripping with satisfaction.

[What do you have to be so smug about, Clara? All I had to do was cry a little and Julian agreed to give me a baby.]

[No protection tonight. Once I’m pregnant, you and that bastard in your belly can pack your bags.]

I didn’t respond.

Why waste another word on someone doing my work for me?

Two days later, Julian threw Stella’s shop a second-anniversary party at a hotel. His money, of course.

The guest list was their mutual friends, his colleagues from the hospital, and Stella’s regulars.

Before the event even started, Stella told everyone I’d be apologizing to her live. Streaming it for the whole internet to see.

Julian checked the time, then nodded to the AV tech running the screen. Go.

The screen lit up. There I was.

“Hi, everyone. My husband asked me to come on today and formally apologize to Ms. Brooks.”

Stella’s chin lifted. Victory in her eyes.

Then I smiled.

“I’m sorry that when I received the video of you sleeping with my husband, I was so disgusted I threw up. That was terribly insensitive to your pride as a homewrecker.”

“And as a gift, my influencer friends and I would love to give you both all the free publicity you could ever want.”

“So please, everyone, sit back and enjoy the show. Let’s all watch this beautiful affair unfold in high definition.”