I Aborted Our Baby The Day He Celebrated His Mistress Birthday Chapter 03

I Aborted Our Baby The Day He Celebrated His Mistress Birthday Chapter 03

A few days before the transfer, the company threw an event. My manager dropped the details in the group chat.

One look and I wanted no part of it. Before I could type out an excuse, the manager tagged me — the whole thing was a going-away dinner. For me.

After that, I couldn’t say no. I called Julian.

“There’s a work thing tonight. Everyone needs a plus-one or they’ll pair us up with random people. Can you come?”

It was loud on his end — music, voices. “Hold on, I can’t hear you…”

Some rustling, then the noise dropped. “Okay. Go ahead.”

“Where are you?” I asked.

“I’m at a concert with Harper,” he said.

He paused, then kept going — unprompted. “She’s been dying to go for months — set an alarm and everything just to get the tickets. Her friend bailed at the last second, so I stepped in.”

I let out a hollow laugh. “I was just asking. You don’t have to explain.”

Julian let out a heavy, irritated sigh on the other end. I asked again if he could make it tonight. He hung up.

That evening I waited for Julian outside the venue. A full hour. Nothing.

The wind picked up and drove the rain sideways, soaking through my clothes until the fabric clung to my skin. I gave up and went inside to change.

When I came back out, Julian was there. Seated. Just not for me — he’d come as Harper’s plus-one.

“Eleanor, over here!” Harper waved me over.

Every seat at that table came in twos. I was the only one alone.

I turned to leave, but the manager caught my arm and steered me over. “Eleanor Vance! Your husband’s right there — go sit with him!” He planted me in front of Julian, then grinned at him. “Come on, get up — your wife’s here.”

Harper tightened her grip on Julian’s arm and smiled. “He’s my plus-one.”

Julian didn’t correct her.

The manager’s eyes flicked between us. He eased me into the chair beside Julian. “No big deal. I’ll find you a partner — give me a sec.”

I looked at Julian. The sting was quiet, but it was there.

I’d asked him first. Even if the answer was no, he could’ve told me. That was the bare minimum. Anything was better than letting me stand in the rain for an hour like an idiot.

Before I could say anything, Julian was already explaining. “Harper attracts creeps. She needed someone there to keep them off her.”

“Right. Because everyone knows you’re married. Perfect shield.”

“She’s never even dated anyone. She doesn’t know how to deal with that kind of thing. I’d feel wrong not looking out for her.”

Harper. Again. The first time he chose her over me, it almost cost me my life. This time, he just humiliated me in front of everyone I worked with.

The manager never did find me a partner.

I skipped the couples’ games. Sat out the dancing. Found the furthest corner of the room and watched from there — my husband and my own mentee, laughing through every round like the rest of us didn’t exist.

The last round of the night was truth or dare.

When Harper pulled Julian up on stage, the room went quiet. Maybe they were all thinking about the cave-in — the one that had been all over the news.

People exchanged glances, then looked at me — quick, furtive stares that landed like pins under my skin.

Something I’d buried a long time ago clawed its way back up.