My Marriage: His Debt to Another Woman Chapter 06

My Marriage: His Debt to Another Woman Chapter 06

The cool night air hit my face but did nothing to cool the fire in my chest.

Jake followed me out a moment later. The instant he saw me, his brow furrowed.

“Elara, don’t do this. Everyone’s inside.”

“What am I supposed to do?” I spun to face him. “Just stand there while she turns me into a punchline, let your friends laugh at me, and pretend nothing happened?”

“She was just making a joke.” Jake reached for me, but I flinched away.

“A joke?” I stared at him. “Do you really not get what she meant by that?”

His face hardened.

“You’re overreacting.”

“Then tell me what she is to you,” I demanded. “She’s your comrade’s widow, not your wife.”

Just then, a small cry came from the living room. It was Chloe.

Jake’s whole body went rigid. He turned on instinct, rushing back inside.

He didn’t even look back.

From then on, whenever Chloe and I were in the same room, he chose her.

And he would always come home with the same explanation, the same appeal for my understanding, the same talk of responsibility.

I used to force myself to accept it.

This time, I wouldn’t.

I didn’t sleep that night. By morning, my mind was made up.

I was having this baby. And I was raising it alone.

After Jake came home, I locked myself in the guest room. I knew he wanted to explain, to tell me again why he had to ask for a separation for Chloe’s sake. I didn’t want to hear it.

When I came out the next morning, Jake was waiting in the living room, looking like a man ready to deal with an unpleasant but necessary task.

I picked up my bag, ready to leave.

“Elara.”

I stopped but didn’t turn around.

His voice came from behind me.

“Chloe’s therapist says she’s in a terrible state. Severe PTSD. The doctor recommended we accommodate her as much as possible. So when she said she hoped we could separate for a while, I couldn’t say no.”