Three Years in Europe for Everyone—Except His Pregnant Wife Chapter 02

Three Years in Europe for Everyone—Except His Pregnant Wife Chapter 02

One hour later, Ethan and Rae came back home, laughing brightly.

I’d just fallen asleep, and their giggles jolted me awake.

Their laughter died right away. I heard Ethan’s voice ring out.

“Mom, Dad—why didn’t Yvonne get dinner ready?”

“She’s just being difficult now that she’s pregnant,” Ethan’s mom answered, raising her voice on purpose so I would hear every word.

Ethan’s dad spoke up. “We fly out for Paris tomorrow. Let’s all eat out. Skip cooking tonight.”

“Sounds perfect, Uncle.” Rae’s voice sounded totally natural, like she owned this house and I was the guest. “I brought Yvonne a little gift. Let me give it to her.”

She stepped into my bedroom holding a pink watering can, grinning wide.

“Yvonne, you’re in bed so early!”

“Look. I picked this out just for you. It’ll work great for you.”

She held up the medium-sized watering can.

I stared straight at her, cold as ice.

“I don’t want it. Leave me alone. Get out.”

She kept up her peppy, cheerful act, pretending she couldn’t see how frigid my demeanor was.

“Once we head off to Paris, this will make watering our baby trees so much easier for you.”

Out in the yard sat a peach tree Ethan had planted five years ago.

A pear tree had been planted only the month before.

I’d recently found out Ethan had put that pear tree in the ground for Rae.

Rae adored peach blossoms and loved eating peaches.

The peach tree bloomed and bore fruit each year.

Rae still called those two trees her and Ethan’s baby trees.

Now they were heading overseas for three whole years. They expected me to stay behind and tend to their trees, watering them day after day.

I lost my patience. My tone turned sharp.

“I am not your unpaid maid!”

“Get out. I need rest.”

Tears flooded her eyes instantly and spilled over fast.

“Yvonne, that’s not what I meant at all!” she sobbed. “You’ve totally misunderstood me.”

Her tear-streaked face, voice thick with sobs, drew Ethan and my in-laws rushing into my bedroom.

The second they saw Rae crying, panic washed over all of them.

Ethan didn’t bother hearing my side of the story. He snapped at me immediately.

“Yvonne, knock it off! Rae is not your punching bag. Show her some respect.”

I leaned weakly against the headboard.

I’d had my abortion only hours before. My body felt drained of every last bit of strength. All I wanted was sleep, to regain my energy.

Seeing Ethan fly off the handle over another woman filled me with grief and rage. I pushed with every scrap of strength I had to fire back.

“Don’t make this awkward for yourself. She’s not a punching bag, and I’m not a free maid”

Ethan’s lips parted to argue, but Rae cut in, putting on her understanding act.

“Ethan, it’s my fault. Don’t be mad at Yvonne.”

“She’s pregnant. We can’t get her all worked up.”

I let out a sharp laugh and called her bluff.

“Cut the act. You want a pregnant woman stuck here watering your trees. Don’t act like you care whether I get stressed out.”