The Unveiled Rose

"So, you purposely made time for Luna and Nigel to bond."

"Leander." Tears choked my words. "Now Nigel has accepted Luna. He only recognizes Luna as his mom. And what about you? When were you planning to tell me about the divorce?" Each question I threw at him weighed heavier than the last.

Leander seemed taken aback by my fury, his voice tinged with panic. "No, honey, please calm down!"

He didn't even dare to linger, "Actually, when Luna first came back, I did spend some time with her. I thought... Old flames might reignite, but they didn't."

The car stopped at the entrance of the hospital.

I didn't want to hear any more. I opened the passenger door, ready to step out.

But Leander quickly stepped in front of me. "During the time I spent with Luna, there was only one thought in my mind. I realized I couldn't betray our marriage."

I tried to walk past him.

Leander followed. "I can't betray you."

I looked up at him.

Leander sighed in resignation, "We're adults. You did not listen to the full story and are now sulking here."

After saying that, he forcefully pinned me against the car, his hands cupping my face, trying to kiss me forcefully.

But my heart was filled with images of Nigel and how he might be right now...

I really wasn't in the mood for intimacy with Leander.

I forcefully pushed his shoulders away, "Let's see our child first."

Only then did Leander snap back to reality. "Okay."

...

In the hospital room.

Nigel sat there, head bowed, silent, his left arm wrapped in thick bandages.

His usually rosy cheeks were now devoid of any color.

My barely calmed heart ached uncontrollably at the sight of him.

I walked over to him, carefully holding his wrist, asking, "Why would you hurt yourself like this?"

Only then did I notice Luna standing there.

This woman was trying to break my family and inciting discord between me and my son. My anger was palpable. In a fit of rage, I didn't hesitate to confront her, "Is this how you 'care' for Nigel by forcefully taking him away?" Before Luna could respond, Nigel suddenly became agitated on the bed.

"Don't you dare talk about Luna! I cut my wrists because of you! Because you refuse to divorce Dad."

I stared at him, dumbfounded.

Nigel acted as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "Mom, I know cutting myself would hurt you. The more it hurts you, the more I want to hurt myself."

His words, innocent yet so cruel, "Until... You agree to divorce Dad."

His words hit me like a hammer, blurring my vision...

The pain made even breathing difficult. I was gasping for air...

How could he use my love for him to hurt me so recklessly?

Before I could even start to seek answers, everything went black, and I collapsed...

"Honey!"

Through the haze, I heard Leander's anxious voice.

""Doctor!"

...

When I woke up, it was the next morning.

Leander sat by my bed, his face beaming with a smile, eagerly sharing, "Honey, great news."

Given the series of unfortunate events, I was disoriented.

I couldn't fathom what good news there could possibly be. I replied half-heartedly, "What?" ""You're pregnant!"