I Lost Our Child Chapter 16
He handed me a small piece of cake.
I raised my hand to push it away and accidentally knocked it over.
We both froze.
His eyelashes trembled, and the corners of his eyes slowly reddened.
“Do you hate me that much now?”
The way he looked at me, I couldn’t answer right away.
After a moment, I said, “Thatcher, as partners, we really aren’t right for each other.”
He said, “I’d actually already made plans.”
“To have our wedding next spring.”
“To take you on vacation.”
“To bring your grandmother to New York to live with us.”
I cut him off softly.
“My grandmother passed away.”
“The night Ava first tried to kill herself, I went home to say goodbye to her.”
“But I didn’t tell you.”
“Because between me and Ava, you were always going to choose her.”
“So I don’t think I can rely on you as a husband.”
“Her mother came to see me and told me to divorce you.”
“Even Aidan feels entitled to comment on our marriage. He thinks you and Ava are a better match.”
“I think so, too.”
I looked him straight in the eye as I said it.
It was the truth.
He and I were not suited for each other.
Something in his gaze shattered.
It was as if he couldn’t believe I would say that. Even his breathing seemed to stop.
After a long time, he finally said in a low voice, “I’m only just understanding that the worst part isn’t the fighting.”
“It’s that you don’t love me anymore.”
“You can look at me and say I’m better suited to another woman.”
His throat worked, and his eyes glistened.
“Okay. We’ll get a divorce.”
“I’ll take you home, all right?”
I nodded.
After he agreed to the divorce, we were somehow able to speak calmly again.
The revulsion I’d felt toward him began to fade.
After I got out of the car, he walked me to my building.
I looked at him and smiled.
“Happy birthday, Thatcher.”
That flicker of surprise in his eyes ignited, and he smiled back at me through his tears.