My Marriage: His Debt to Another Woman Chapter 23

My Marriage: His Debt to Another Woman Chapter 23

“He was diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer right after you two separated,” Mike said. “He hasn’t been cooperating with treatment. He’s going downhill fast.”

Hearing the words, my stomach dropped.

I remembered how Jake always had stomach problems. When we were together, I’d make him light meals and remind him not to be careless. But whenever Chloe called, he’d abandon the food I’d made to go eat greasy fast food with her and drink late into the night.

Chloe had even mocked me for it once, saying I policed him like a warden.

“That’s fine.” When I spoke, my voice was calm. “With Chloe taking care of him, I’m sure he’s quite content.”

Mike let out a cold, bitter laugh.

“Taking care of him?” He looked at me as if I’d told a sick joke. “Don’t even talk to me about her. That woman is a menace. She wasn’t heartbroken over her husband’s death. She made a bet with her friends to see if she could get Jake to do anything for her, even if it meant destroying his own marriage.”

My hand slowly curled into a fist.

“Jake always thought he owed her, so he believed every word she said. By the time he found out the truth, it was too late. He was already sick.” Mike’s eyes were pleading. “Elara, if you could just go see him—”

“I won’t.” I cut him off.

Mike froze.

I looked at him. “If you see Jake, please give him a message for me. Tell him the baby and I are doing well. Tell him to rest easy.”

I knew that even if I said nothing, Mike would tell Jake he’d seen me.

It was better to kill any lingering hope myself than to let him hold on to it.

After leaving Mike, I went back to my room.

The moment Leo saw me, he shot to his feet, looking nervous. He gestured to a pile of items on the table.

Energy bars, sports drinks, dark chocolate.

His face was a little flushed as he explained awkwardly.

“I did some research,” he said. “They all said this stuff helps replenish your strength during labor.”

Seeing him so earnest and slightly flustered, the tension I’d been carrying since I saw Mike finally began to ease.

I smiled.

“Thank you, Leo.”