My Husband Chose My Best friend

ch6: Daniel

The door slammed shut enough to echo.

Daniel remained exactly where Amara had left him, his mind still trying to catch up with words that wouldn't settle.

Pregnant.

Not yours.

Maya’s voice rushed out, too quickly. “Daniel, please...just listen to me...”

He raised a hand to stop her. She fell silent.

The silence stretched on; long, awkward and almost unbearable. Then Daniel let out a once sharp, dry laugh.

“Say it again,” he said softly.

Maya’s throat tightened. “Daniel...”

“Say it,” he insisted, his voice still calm.

Maya hesitated.

Daniel nodded slowly, looking down for a moment before meeting her eyes again.

“How long?” he asked, the same question again.

Maya swallowed hard. “…Almost a year.”

Another laugh. “A year,” he repeated.

A year of shared meals.

A year of deep conversations.

A year of sleeping next to her.

A year of being a fool.

“And you thought I wouldn’t find out?” he questioned.

Maya shook her head quickly. “I didn’t plan for this, okay? It just happened.”

“It just happened?” Daniel echoed. He took a step closer, close enough that she took a step back. “You don’t accidentally sleep with someone for a year, Maya,” he said.

Tears filled her eyes now. “I didn’t mean to fall into it...”

“Fall?” he cut in.

A small, humorless smile tugged at his lips. “You make it sound like it was a mistake.”

Maya’s voice cracked. “I didn’t mean for it to go this far.”

“But it did,” he said.

Silence again.

Daniel rubbed a hand over his face, exhaling slowly. “Ethan,” he muttered. “Of all people,” he added, his gaze snapped back to her. “Her husband?”

Maya didn’t answer.

Daniel shook his head slightly, pacing once across the room before stopping again. “And the baby?” he asked.

Maya froze. “What about it?” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

Daniel looked at her.

And for the first time, there was no love in his eyes.

“Are you keeping it?” he asked.

Maya’s lips parted slightly, caught off guard. “I… I don’t know.”

Daniel let out a slow breath, nodding once. “Of course you don’t.”

He walked past her into the kitchen, grabbing his keys from the counter.

Maya turned quickly. “Where are you going?”

He didn’t answer her right away. He just stood there for a second, staring at nothing.

“To talk to him.”

Maya’s eyes widened. “Daniel, don’t...”

“Don’t what?” he shot back, turning to face her. “Don’t confront the man who’s been sleeping with my wife?”

Her voice rose slightly, filled with urgency. “This will only make things worse.”

Daniel laughed again, a bitter sound. “You think this can get worse?” he asked.

Maya stepped closer, desperation creeping in. “Please, just calm down.”

“I am calm,” he replied, walking toward the door.

Maya followed quickly. “Daniel...please.”

He stopped right at the door, his hand resting on the handle. Then without turning, he asked. “Was there ever a moment you were going to tell me?”

Maya kept quiet. Daniel nodded once. He opened the door.

“Daniel...”

He hesitated for a second, then said, “No.” And walked out. The door closed behind him.

Inside, Maya stood frozen, her hands trembling. Her breath came in uneven gasps. Everything she had managed to keep balanced was collapsing.

Outside, Daniel got into his car, his fingers wrapping on the steering wheel with a firm grip. His mind wasn’t was focused on Ethan. The engine started and without hesitation, he hit the road.