His Regret: Taming My Ex-Husband

Chapter one

Amelia’s POV

The wine sparkled under the lounge lights and my hands shook.

With my fingers nervously drumming against the sleek glass table, I sat across from Lora. Silent chatters alongside the clinking of glass cups of wine. There was a faint scent of freshly poured wine all over the lounge and unfortunately, none of that seemed to be noted. All I could hear were the rants Amelia had just tossed; rants I couldn't extract any sense from.

“Amelia, tell me you've thought this through,” Lora questioned, her voice tender as usual with concern vivid and detailed, and her eyes hard.

“What I'm trying to say is, the whole idea of hiring a surrogate? Yeah, I understand both you and Tom are desperate to have a baby; But….Have you thought about it deeply? With the whole tension between you both, do you think this is the right way?”

My eyes fell on her gaze, fixed yet uncertain. I felt my heart pound, my chest tightening inwards. Laura had always been my safe space but lately her words felt more than knives and they were cutting through wounds I hadn't named yet.

“This is what I want, Lora,” I said, my voice firm but calm.

“It’s a big one; I'm aware. But this is what we've always wished for. Tom and I have been on this for months. He gave in; me too. And to think we've already found just the perfect person to carry out the job, Good news.”

Lora appeared skeptical as her brows crinkled with her lips nudged into a tight thin line. She was trying to hold back her words. It seemed like she had something to say but wasn't sure how to let the cat out.

“Amy,” She hesitated, licking her lips and looking around. “I wasn't going to say anything but I saw them.” She whispered,

My heart slammed against my chest.

“Who?”

“Who else? I saw Tom and Toria, together.” She paused. “Your so-called surrogate; Toria was all over him and they were both discussing over some drinks at the new bar which just opened down Century Lane. Worst of all Amy, he was so sweet to her creating a perfect couple kind of picture.”

My throat locked. Cold spread rapidly through my bones, crawling like betrayal under my skin. I tried to laugh it off but who was I deceiving? My body betrayed me and I couldn't find my voice. All I did was stare till I found my voice. “Lora, what are you trying to say?” I asked, my voice suddenly loose but tight.

Lora’s eyes were heavy with worry, but she didn't look away. “I have no idea, but it doesn't look like they were both having a conversation about the surrogacy process. Not to add that you weren't even present. Amelia, you're supposed to be the one there; it was your plan after all so why is Tom now spending time with her?”

Her utterances were hitting harder than I'd expected. Why weren't they telling me about these meetings? Why does Tom spend time with Toria, without me?

I forced myself to take in a deep breath, suppressing the panic while trying to keep my voice Calm and steady.

“Big no, Lora. That's…. Nothing. I'm sure he was just trying to make her feel comfortable by being nice to her. Tom is a sweet guy Lora; I assure you they were talking about the surrogacy process. Nothing more.”

After saying it, I felt a wrench on the inside of me with a tiny voice whispering that perhaps; Just perhaps, Lora was right. Perhaps there’s more than I want to admit going on.

I cut off the voice before it could get louder and get the best of me. I trusted Tom as usual. So I shouldn't be stopping now; I just had to trust him.

“Hey, don’t stress it; Okay?” I said, propelling out a smile that didn't come from the inner part of me.

“Tom loves me so much, Lora. You know that right? We’re a duo as usual.

Lora didn't seem convinced, but she nodded slowly. “I just hope you are right.”

The streets blurred past like some sort of forgotten dream and every time I blinked, I saw them. Tom, my husband, and the surrogate lady are laughing and whispering. My mind wouldn't stop.

Finally, we boarded a cab.

The sun was beginning to set, casting long sharp shadows. The fading light made everything look quite distant like it was owned by someone else. More like driving through a dream.

I had this uneasy feeling pop up again. I'd been trying to suppress it but unfortunately, it grew stronger with each departing mile. My mind kept going back to what Lora said. But, why exactly was Tom hanging out with Toria? I mean; He should have at least told me about it first.

The questions were spinning endlessly in my head; More like a whirlwind. I couldn't shake them off, even after I tried.

By the time the driver had pulled up, my hands gripped the handle of the door, so tightly that they turned white. My breath became fast and shallow with my chest tightening again.

“Are you okay, Ma’am?” The driver questioned.

I nodded and tipped him before exiting the car. Despite the storm in me, I tried to remain calm, assuring myself that everything was fine and that I had no reason at all to doubt Tom. But then, I still felt the storm running wild.

I took a deep breath and walked towards the front door of the house. Thrashing away the doubts in my mind, I pushed open the door. I stood frozen.

Tom was sitting on the couch with an envelope held in his hand. He looked weird, distant like we weren't both in the same room.

He sat rigid, his face indistinct. His eyes met mine; so cold, sending chills through me. I'd never seen his eyes that cold before.

“Tom?” I called out softly,

He didn't flinch.

I stepped closer, “Baby, you're home quite early.”

Silence.

He handed me an envelope. His gaze never leaves mine. My mind went blank, I took the envelope, uncertain of its content, my hands trembling profusely.

“Open it now Amelia.” He said, his voice heavy and his eyes emotionless.

I ripped open the envelope, my fingers shaking as I held the paper and began unfolding it. My heart raced so fast as if it would burst out of my chest. I studied the content; I wasn't done yet but the world seemed to have paused.

“I’m done, Amelia,”

I froze.

“We are getting a divorce.” His words sliced through the thin air.

The words began appearing blurred to my eyes. My breath ceased, and I stumbled backward with the paper slightly fallen from my grip.

“T.Tom, W-what…?” I gasped, panic surging through my chest. “Tom, Why? What is this? Why? What… what is happening here?”

He didn't move an inch to comfort me. He sat there, his eyes distant and cold. I felt like the walls between us had grown taller and thicker; Suffocating me until I had no space left for me.

“Tom, is this some kind of joke?” I said, my voice helplessly quivering.

“Tom, Baby; Please tell me all these are jokes. Please tell me you're joking babe, please.”

He disappointed me, shaking his head slowly. “Amelia, this is not a joke.”

“Toria is pregnant and the baby is mine.” He announced coldly and my world tilted immediately.

My knees buckled, I lost my grip on the earth and I stumbled towards the table, gripping the edge of the table steadily to hold myself up.

My breath skipped and my mind processed what he was saying; All I saw was his lips moving but so blurry.