DIFFERENT DESIRE

CHAPTER Eighteen:BROKEN TRUST

The house was quiet that Sunday afternoon. Sunlight streamed through the windows but did little to lighten the tension in the air. Emily had just returned from a quick trip to the supermarket, her arms loaded with groceries and a few small surprises for Ethan. She set them down on the kitchen counter with a hopeful smile, unaware of the storm that was about to hit.

Ethan was in the living room, organizing some documents. He had given himself two days off before their scheduled project travel, using the time to plan and catch up. His phone rang. The screen lit up with a familiar name. Brian.

A wave of anger shot through Ethan. He snatched the phone. His voice was cold when he answered. “Hello.”

Brian’s teasing tone came through. “Hey, Emily. I just wanted to check in. Been a while.”

Ethan’s hand gripped the phone tightly. “Listen carefully. She is married. Do not call her again. If I hear from you one more time, there will be consequences. Consider this your only warning.”

“I just—” Brian started.

“No. Do not speak. Do not call her. Leave her alone,” Ethan snapped. He ended the call, his chest heaving as fury coursed through him.

Emily walked into the room behind him, humming softly. “Hey, I brought you something,” she said, holding out the cardigan and shorts. “I thought you’d like these.”

Ethan turned to her, his expression sharp and filled with anger. “Who is Brian?”

Emily froze. Her chest tightened. “E-Ethan, it’s nothing. He is just a client. I didn’t— I didn’t even mean anything by it.”

“You didn’t mean anything? Emily, do you understand how this looks? Our infertility, everything we’ve been through, and you let a man call you like that?”

“I swear, Ethan, I haven’t done anything wrong. He’s just a friend. I blocked him. I won’t let him bother me again. Please, you have to believe me.” Her voice trembled. Tears pricked her eyes.

Ethan’s jaw tightened. “. And you let this happen. You know our childlessness is because of you. Our inability to have a child—because of your condition—and yet you let this happen. Do you understand the betrayal?”

Emily’s tears fell freely now. “I have never done anything to hurt you, Ethan. I would never betray you. I promise you. Please believe me.”

“Do not come near me tonight. I am done with this. I need rest. I need space. Stay away from me.” Ethan’s voice shook with anger and disappointment.

Emily felt her world collapse. Her chest heaved as she struggled to control her sobs. She had done nothing wrong, yet Ethan’s words cut her to the core. She stepped back quietly and sat on the sofa, wrapping her arms around herself. The warmth of their home had vanished. It felt cold and uninviting.

Her phone buzzed. A message from Chloe appeared: “Hey Emily! I just got selected for the project trip! We’ll be traveling together with the team!”

Emily smiled weakly. Chloe’s good news gave her a small spark of happiness, but it did little to ease the pain and tension that had filled her house. She replied quickly, congratulating Chloe and promising to celebrate later.

That night, Emily lay awake in her bedroom. Ethan’s side of the bed remained empty. The house was silent and cold. She buried her face in the pillow, tears soaking the fabric. She whispered apologies into the darkness. She had done nothing wrong, yet she felt the weight of Ethan’s anger pressing down on her.

Every detail of the day haunted her the way Ethan had glared, his sharp words, the accusations, the reminder that their childlessness was because of her. She felt helpless, trapped by circumstances beyond her control.

Outside, the city continued unaware of the heartbreak inside the home. Emily clutched her phone and silently promised herself she would do whatever it took to regain Ethan’s trust, restore peace, and protect the love they shared.