Chapter 3
I tried to schedule a termination at other hospitals, but it slowly dawned on me that ever since I got pregnant, Declan had been “keeping” my Driver’s License and Health Insurance Card.]
What a fucking masterpiece of manipulation.[]
When he got home that night, I made up some excuse to ask for them back.[]
Declan immediately went into deflection mode.[]
“Babe, this is your first pregnancy and I’m already a nervous wreck. I’m terrified something might go wrong, so I’ve got all your documents in my office where they’re safe and ready to go.“]
“Come on, cut me some slack here.“]
“This is my first time being a dad, and I’m delivering my own wife’s baby. Just thinking about it makes my hands sweat.“]]
I opened my mouth to argue, but he bulldozed right over me.
“I know I haven’t been spending enough time with you lately. How about I take a day off the day after tomorrow and we drive out to that vineyard you love? Just us?”
I looked away coldly. “I don’t want to go.”
Now that I knew the truth, I was done playing his sick little game.]
But Declan’s expression darkened like a storm cloud rolling in.
His voice turned wounded and accusatory.
“Riley, you’ve always been so damn cold. The day after tomorrow’s our wedding anniversary!”
I froze for a second, then nodded reluctantly.[]
Fine.
Our one–year anniversary could be the funeral for whatever Declan and I had shared over the past twenty–something years.]
The next day while Declan was at work, I went to the DMV and got an expedited replacement license.
Even with rush processing, it’d take three days minimum.]
I sat in my car rubbing my belly, and the little one seemed to sense something was wrong–she kept shifting around restlessly.
I took a few deep breaths and shoved down the heartbreak trying to claw its way up my throat.
Then I drove to a print shop and made two copies of divorce papers.]
When I got home and started packing my stuff, I found this ring tucked away in his dresser–pink diamonds in a delicate setting.
Sure enough, the next morning I woke up with that ring on my finger.
Declan was practically glowing as he watched me.
“Happy anniversary, babe. You like it?”
I twisted the ring around my finger and nodded.[]
“Yes. It’s beautiful.“]
Too bad, I just didn’t like the man who gave it to me.[]
