MARRIED TO A NARCISSIST, PREGNANT FOR MY EX’s CHILD

Letters.

Rowland's POV.

By the time I had stepped out of the restaurant Selene was gone.

My chest ached.

She despised me.

I had told myself I just wanted to see her one last time at that party.

I said I wasn’t going to bother her. I would just glance at her and walk away.

But God help me when I saw her standing across the room, a glass of wine in her hand, and a lock of her hair fell across her face.

I couldn't help but stare. She was different, in a good way. Now a full-blown woman.

Huph, what was I expecting, that she would run right back into my arms?

I turned the wheel right switching between lanes.

My heart dropped at the sight of the little girl, such a fiery beauty just like her mother.

I squeezed the wheel tighter.

I deserved it.

I was a coward and I left before we even had the chance to try.

“I sent letters to your mother Rowland to give to you”

Her words echoed in my head.

How could it be? Mother never mentioned any of the sort.

I turned the corner.

Maybe I should pay my mother a visit.

I pulled up in front of the tall building I had built for mom a few years back.

A proud achievement of mine over the years.

I had worked really hard to get to where I am today running a successful stock exchange company.

Mother could never be more proud.

I hadn't knocked on the door but the door swung open, like she had been expecting me all this time.

“My muche” she wrapped her arms around my neck pulling me into a tight hug. “I have missed you. You all are all grown up and don't like coming to see your mother anymore now huh?”

“How are you, Mom?”

“I am fine my darling” she pulled me into the house and towards the dinning “Come, I made soup. You must be hungry”

I watched her run to the kitchen and back. She placed a steaming bowl of soup on the table.

And took a seat beside me.

I took a spoonful and closed my eyes, savoring the taste. Just like old times.

“How is Mark? I asked.

“Oh, he's fine. Always up and doing. Today he is here, tomorrow he's in Texas. I am proud of my sons” she smiled leaning her chin on her palm.

I sighed heavily, placing the spoon on the plate.

Her smile dropped “Are you okay muche, did i say something wrong?”

I thought for a second, I didn't know how to begin.

“Did Selene by any chance send some letters to me when I traveled?”

She straightened instantly. Her hands moved over the table hurriedly. Rearranging the salt, tablecloth, and avoiding my eyes.

“Darling, what does that have to do with anything now. It's in the past.” she flashed a smile “We are better off not digging what doesn't need to be dug.”

“Mum, please”

The room went still. She gazed at me for what felt like a minute then exhaled.

“I am coming”

She stood up and walked up the steps.

I waited, wondering what that was all about.

She came back with envelopes, neatly folded and sealed, and took a seat beside me.

My chest tightened.

“She did send letters, here they are.” She handed them to me “I never opened any of it”

I collected it from her, my fingers trembled slightly.

She clutched my hands in hers “before you open it. I want you to know, it's all in the past. You have made a name for yourself and you don't need any of this in your life anymore”

I tore open the first envelope and unfolded the white paper in it.

My ro,

I came some days back and I was told you left. I don't know what to believe and I know you wouldn't just leave me. I really have something to tell you. Please text me.

My chest heaved. I tore the second envelope open.

Hey ro,

I haven't heard anything from you. I think I am in trouble. My parents want me to marry someone else. I really need to tell you something and I can't write it here. Text me before five days ro.

My heart shattered, she needed to tell me something. What could it be?

When I picked up the last envelope.

Something fell out.

A locket, the one I had given her on her sixteenth birthday. The promise of forever.

I looked up at mother. She fiddled with her fingers on her lap. I looked away.

I didn't want to open the last one but I unfolded it either way.

Rowland! You have abandoned me when I needed you the most. I was so stupid to have ever believed your promises. Don't ever reach out to me again!

My body went limp. I crouched to the floor holding the locket tightly to me.

Mother stood abruptly and pulled me into a hug. Her small frame barely covered my body.

“Oh muche, I didn't want any of this to happen. Now look at the state of you!”

“Why did you do it mum? Why?”

Her voice shook lightly “oh Rowland. I saw how you were around that lady. You were useless around her”

She straightened.

“ I was a single mother, her parents were wealthy. They were never going to accept you. You had a family to take care of as the first son. I had no choice”

I looked up at her “You had a choice mum. Not to interfere with my affairs. What have you done?”

She avoided my gaze. “I am sorry muche. She's married now. There is nothing you can do anymore.”

She pulled me up “Let's just sit and eat some soup”

“No mom, I have lost my appetite”

I stood up and walked towards the door.

“Where are you going Rowland?” she asked following behind me.

“To face the mess I was too much of a coward to stop.”