My husband’s other wedding

Chapter2

“There’s something you need to understand before you leave,”

I turned around slowly.

Micheal and his mother stood there like people who had no intention of apologising. The rest of his family were a few feet away with expressions ranging from pity to unapologetic irritation.

I couldn’t believe this was happening. It felt like a nightmare and I was hoping to wake up soon.

Of all the days Micheal and Anita could have chosen to humiliate me, they chose our anniversary.

“What could you possibly have to say?” I asked, my throat tight from impending vomit.

Micheal exhaled sharply. “You’re being emotional, Amara.”

I laughed sardonically.

It was quite obvious he had gone mad overnight.

“My life that I cherish so much was ruined on a day that was supposed to be special and you have the guts to call me emotional,”

“Lower your voice, Amara,” his mother snapped.

I stared at her in disbelief.

This was the same woman who treated me like an egg. Why did she switch up suddenly?

“Must you be dramatic? You’re embarrassing yourself.”

For a moment, I genuinely thought I misheard her.

“Your son is leaving me for our maid whilst still married to me. Don’t you think this is wrong?”

Her face hardened. “Don’t you ever dare speak to me in that tone!”

“Then maybe you should tell your son to stop behaving like someone who wasn’t raised right,”

A few people gasped.

Micheal came forward.

“That’s enough, Amara. I won’t have you disrespect my mother.”

I shook my head, my eyes burning.

“How long has this rubbish been going on? How long have you been sleeping with her?”

His gaze flickered towards Amara.

“Anita and I have been together for a while. How long doesn’t matter now.”

His words settled over me like a bucket of ice water.

I wanted to slap him. I wanted him to feel every pain I felt.

Instead, I stood there clutching my purse and the envelope that was supposed to mark a new chapter of our lives.

“Of course it matters, Micheal! I brought this lady into our home when she was homeless. Ste has been cooking your meals, washing your clothes and cleaning our home. She stood beside me when I spoke about how much I love you.”

My voice broke.

“And all this time, you were sleeping with her?”

For the first time that evening, Anita lowered her head. She was uncomfortable.

I treated her like a sister. I met her at a bar, she was serving our drinks. I noticed she was crying, I was moved. After dinner, I checked up on her and she opened up to me and the rest was history. I had unknowingly brought in the girl who would destroy my marriage.

“Please don’t make this more difficult than it already is,” she murmured.

I turned towards her. She flinched.

Micheals mother stepped between us.

“It’s time for you to accept what everyone has known for a long time. The marriage has been over for years, you refused to see it. We have been very patient with you.”

“What are you talking about?”

She laughed humourlessly.

“What have you given my son in the five years of your marriage?” She folded her arms across her chest. “Five years of expensive holidays, designer bags and a husband who provided everything for you. Yet you couldn’t give him a child.”

The room went silent.

I felt the words pierce through my heart.

I had heard whispers at family dinners before. The suggestions of seeing another doctor or seeing a fertility specialist.

I paid no attention to it because I believed Micheal and I were on the same side. He always told me not to worry. He’d assured me that when the time was right, we’d have our own baby.

I opened my mouth but no words came out.

His sister, Victoria spoke from the front row.

“Amara, what did you expect? My brother needs an heir. He can’t wait for you forever to figure out how to become a mother.”

Someone behind her murmured in agreement.

An heir? Have they forgotten that Micheal and I started the company together? He is the face of the company but I owned the most shares.

I turned to Micheal. “Please say something.”

His mother scoffed.

“Don’t beg him, dear. It’s embarrassing.”

A few people laughed.

These were the same people I celebrated Christmas and birthdays with. People who I always showed up for even when I was exhausted from work.

They smiled with me while agreeing behind my back that I was a defective wife.

I couldn’t breathe.

My fingers tightened around the envelope. Inside it was a report from the hospital.

I was pregnant.

Six weeks of a tiny life growing inside me. I took three pregnancy tests to confirm that I was finally pregnant after five years of trying.

I decided telling Micheal at the place where he proposed to me would be a beautiful way to break the news. I imagine him lifting me onto his arms, kissing me and placing his hand on my stomach.

I had imagined us becoming a family.

I wanted to pull out the report and throw it in their faces. I wanted to wipe the smug expression off their faces. I wanted Michael's mother and Victoria to choke on their own words.

But then I looked at him, my husband.

He knew how many times I cried in the bathroom after another negative pregnancy test. He knew how many times I questioned if something was wrong with me.

Now, he stood there and allowed his family to call me barren.

He wasn’t even looking at me anymore.

His attention had shifted to Anita who was whispering something to him. They shared a knowing smile.

It wasn’t the humiliation that got to me. It was the realization that I was completely alone. No one had my back.

Everyone I loved had betrayed me without thinking twice

I straightened my shoulders and wiped my cheeks.

“Congratulations to you both,”

My voice trembled but I kept going.

“I hope you get everything you want. I hope this wedding gives you the happiness you couldn’t find in our marriage and I hope your family gets the heir they’ve been so desperate for.”

I turned away before they could see my break.

No one stopped me.

My marriage was indeed over.