Chris’ parents didn’t accept his relationship with Amanda. When she announced her pregnancy at the dinner, they rushed to call her a cheater because they had just gotten some shocking medical results. Their lives would never be the same.
“I just want to get this over with,” Chris sighed in front of his parents’ house door.
“They’re your parents, honey. We want them to finally accept me and come to our wedding, right?” his wife, Amanda, caressed his arms.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
Chris grunted. “I really don’t care about that, Amanda. I’m sorry, but if they can’t accept the woman I love, I don’t want anything to do with them.”
“Please, honey. We have to make peace with them. What about the future? They’re family. We want them to be a part of our children’s lives, don’t we?” Amanda continued, smiling slightly. The problem is that the young, beautiful woman didn’t see the tightening of her husband’s mouth.
Chris tried to keep his composure after her words, but he only barely managed. “Yeah. I guess,” he muttered through his stiff lips.
“That’s… fine. When are you going to quit your job?” he continued.
“OK! Now, cheer up. We’re in this together,” Amanda perked and hugged his side.
Chris’s mother, Mrs. Castillo, opened the door with her signature fake grin, only slightly lifting her lips.
“Hello, Amanda. It’s nice to see you,” she said, nodding her head subtly and moving, so they could walk through the door.
Chris wanted to roll his eyes. It had been years since he and Amanda got together. They were engaged, and his parents still viewed her as the woman who “ruined their plans.” They wanted their son with someone else and were salty about his decision.
***
When Chris graduated from college and got his first job, his parents introduced him to Ciara, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey. Her father was on a local private clinic board and highly well-respected in their town.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
Chris came from the Castillo family, and they had always been wealthy thanks to their great-grandfather’s investments. Chris didn’t care much for that stuff. His parents were obsessed with status and what others would say.
However, he made the most amazing friends at college who came from all walks of life. It truly changed his life, and he realized that the girls he had been exposed to through private school and country club parties were not for him. He wanted a real woman.
And Amanda appeared. He had been at his job for a couple of years and collided with her on his way out of a parking lot. It was love at first sight for him, so he tried to joke, smile, and invite her out straight away.
She worked at a nearby building and was not happy about his advances. But eventually, she said yes to a date, and they had been together since.
The first time she met his parents was a disaster. They told Chris to break things off as soon as she left the restaurant table for the bathroom.
“She’s an assistant. Why can’t you date Ciara? She adores you. This is not the girl for you,” his mother said quietly, but her face showed desperation and disgust.
“Listen to your mother, son. You must marry a woman from your own… ugh… class. It won’t work otherwise,” his dad joined in, shaking his head.
“The two of you need to shut up. I will not listen to this. Ciara is a vapid little princess, and I don’t want to be near her… ever!” he said, forcefully but still discreetly enough.
Amanda returned to the table, and the dinner continued. His parents never had much of a poker face, so this meeting wasn’t pleasant. However, it was worse after those comments, and Amanda sensed it.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
He explained everything later, and she understood, telling him to give his parents time. But it had been a while, and they had yet to warm up. They behaved to her face but grumbled behind her back. Mostly, they tolerated her, especially since they got engaged. Meanwhile, she remained hopeful. Amanda was a glass-half-full kind of person. Therefore, she still called his mother to plan dinners and included her in some of the wedding details.
The only thing Amanda had not been open about was the fact that they were already trying for a baby. She wanted that to be a surprise. With some luck, Mr. and Mrs. Castillo would finally warm up when they started having babies.
***
As they sat at his parent’s dinner table, Chris could only think of wrapping this gathering up quickly. He had something to tell his fiancée, and it was extremely urgent. It might change the nature of their relationship forever. She might even decide to leave him.
“They don’t know what they’re missing. Let them eat cake in their country clubs while you and I find real happiness.”
He had actually talked to his parents about this a few days ago when he received the news. They didn’t have a lot to say about it. Their faces showed sadness and concern, but they remained their stoic selves.
“If Amanda leaves you, let her do it,” his mother told him, but that would kill Chris. So, he had been afraid of telling her the truth.
“So, Amanda,” his father began, snapping Chris out of his thoughts. “How’s work?”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“Oh, Mr. Castillo. Work is going great. My boss has this huge event coming up, and I’m helping plan everything. It’s been fun, actually,” she replied, happy they showed interest in her.
“That’s… fine. When are you going to quit your job?” he continued.
“Excuse me?”
“Quit. To become a housewife,” Mr. Castillo clarified.
“I’m not quitting,” Amanda said, confused.
“She’s going to keep working, Dad,” Chris intervened, peeved.
“That’s… just fine. Amanda is a modern woman after all, darling,” his mother said, not quite smiling but not angry either.
“Well, I don’t know my plans yet. It’ll depend on the future,” Amanda said and swallowed nervously. “Speaking of which, I have an announcement. I’m pregnant!”
There was extreme silence at the table, which seemed to expand for hours, but it was only a few seconds. Amanda had been sure that a baby was everything this family needed to accept her finally, but she had no idea what Chris had just discovered.
The first person to break the silence was Mrs. Castillo. “He’s infertile!” she yelled, seething. Her eyes were almost red from anger.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
Chris was frozen in complete shock. They had been intimate for a while without protection, hoping for this. But he just got medical results proving that he couldn’t father anyone. That meant… that Amanda had cheated.
“YOU WORTHLESS TROLLOP!” his mother screamed some more. “YOU CHEATED NO MY SON AND GOT PREGNANT? NOW YOU WANT TO BABY-TRAP HIM?”
“Baby trap him? Mrs. Castillo, Chris and I have been trying for months. We wanted to surprise you and start our family right away. What do you mean by infertile? That’s impossible!” Amanda shook her head rapidly, not knowing what to do.
Mr. Castillo wiped his mouth with a cloth napkin and stood. “Get out of this house immediately. Never show your face near my son again, or we will get a restraining order,” he threatened quietly.
“Sir! Chris, please. Do something. I don’t understand!” Amanda begged her fiance, but Chris couldn’t move. Suddenly, Mrs. Castillo grabbed Amanda’s hair and started pulling her toward the front door.
“Get out of here now!” the older woman yelled like a banter.
Amanda held onto her hair to prevent more pain, but she repeatedly called out to Chris. It was futile. He was still at the table, looking at his plate and not moving.
“CHRIS!” Amanda shouted finally as the heavy front door slammed.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
***
The next few days were a confusing blur. Chris moved out of their shared apartment, leaving the medical results on their kitchen countertop. He also left a Post-it.
“I was concerned and got tested. I’m infertile. Completely. I hope you have a happy life, but it won’t be with me,” he wrote, breaking Amanda’s heart.
That doctor had to be wrong. She was pregnant, and it was 100% Chris’s baby. She hadn’t been with anyone else for many years. How was this possible? And why wouldn’t he talk to me?
Despite her best efforts, Chris refused contact. When she went to his parent’s house, they called the police, who told her to leave or risk being arrested.
“Fine! I’ll leave! I’ll raise this beautiful baby on my own! You’re the one missing out, and when you realize the truth, it’ll be too late!” she screamed towards the mansion and walked away.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
Despite what the Castillo family tried to imply, Amanda didn’t need to trap anyone. She might not be from a wealthy family, but she had a great job. Her company had a fantastic maternity leave policy, and the entire team was ready to support her dearly. Her boss loved her, so she wasn’t worried.
“What? No, that was just our plan,” Mrs. Geoffrey chuckled, waving her hand.
The problem was facing an utterly different future without Chris and as a single mom. But if others could do it, she could too.
Therefore, she had the baby, named him Paul, and did her best. It was suffocating doing everything alone at times, but she persevered every day for her son. The only problem was that her baby was a carbon copy of Chris. It was impossible to miss.
“Those idiots,” she whispered after putting him down for a nap. “They don’t know what they’re missing. Let them eat cake in their country clubs while you and I find real happiness.”
***
Chris tried to move on with life. His usually cold parents were highly supportive after he moved out of his shared apartment with Amanda. He was thankful for that. The last thing he ever imagined was Amanda cheating on him. It didn’t seem possible despite irrefutable proof.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
But his parents told him everything would be alright soon. And life goes on even when you don’t want it to. He returned to work, found a new apartment for himself, and tried to forget the pain. The future was bleak without Amanda, but his parents tried to cheer him up.
One day, they invited him for dinner, and Ciara was there. Surprisingly, they got along, and she had many interesting things to say. His parents were delighted and encouraged the friendship. Chris didn’t have the fight in him to refuse again.
He started dating Ciara. They were taking things slow, but he didn’t discourage his mother when she talked about a country club wedding. Fine. If this is the life I deserve, I’ll just let them plan everything for me, he thought during his depressing moments.
Amanda was out of his life. He just hoped her baby daddy was a good man.
***
About a year after Paul was born, Amanda was walking down the street, focusing on her cell phone, when she stumbled upon someone.
“I’m so sorry. I wasn’t looking,” she apologized, only to raise her eyes and see Chris. “Oh.”
“Amanda,” he said, swallowing. “Hi.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
“Hello,” she replied awkwardly. “Bye.”
“Wait,” Chris grabbed her hand, but the movement made her drop her phone. “Jeez, I’m sorry.”
He picked it up, and the screen lit. There was a picture of her baby as a screensaver, and his eyes zeroed in on it.
“Give me that,” Amanda snatched it from his hands, finally showing her anger. “You don’t deserve to look at him.”
“Him?” he mumbled, breathless from seeing the image.
“Yes. My son,” she said, lifting her chin. “Mine. Alone.”
Her whole demeanor was surprising. He understood why she would lie about cheating at first, but it had been a while since their split. She didn’t have to pretend anymore.
“I guess it didn’t work out with the father,” Chris commented, wanting to be angry and hurt her somehow.
“Yeah. It didn’t,” she raised her eyebrows. “Bye, Chris.”
And she walked away.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
For several days, Chris pondered hard on the situation. He didn’t remember the picture of the baby much, as she had snatched her phone too quickly. But he had stunning blue eyes. Amanda’s eyes were brown. Of course, anyone could be the father.
But her attitude. The way she was accusing him without actually saying anything was highly odd. Was it possible that he had been wrong? That his doctors were wrong?
It didn’t seem likely because he had gone to Ciara’s father’s private clinic. They had all the latest technologies, so the chances of a false result were odd. But… what if?
He couldn’t think about it much because Ciara dragged him to her mother’s house for a meeting with the wedding planner. Yes, they were engaged, and things were moving fast. He didn’t care. He just wanted his parents to shut up about it.
The whole situation was insane. He had no idea why he was there when Ciara and her mother were picking up everything. When his new fiancée took a break, Mrs. Geoffrey focused on him. She talked a bit about the wedding, the future, how she always knew this day would come, etc.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
But suddenly, she said, “Oh, my god, and the babies you two will have. Precious!”
“Life’s too short for grudges.”
“Babies? Mrs. Geoffrey, I’m infertile. You should know that. I got tested at your husband’s clinic, and everyone knows,” Chris explained, frowning.
“What? No, that was just our plan,” Mrs. Geoffrey chuckled, waving her hand.
“Plan?” Chris asked, his voice turning to ice.
Mrs. Geoffrey seemed only to realize then what she had said. Her face turned white, and her hand flew to her mouth. “I mean…. Ehhh, no. Those things have errors… I think IVF can work…” she stuttered through her words.
And Chris knew everything right away.
Ciara walked back. “OK, let’s continue,” she said, not reading the room.
“Darling, I’m glad you tricked me, and I get to marry you now,” he said unexpectedly. Ciara’s head turned to him quickly.
“You know about that?” she asked, starting to smile.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“Ciara, no!” her mother whispered.
Chris rose from the couch. “Goodbye. I hope you two rot in hell.”
***
Chris got the entire story from his mother, who was on the phone while he drove to Amanda’s apartment. Luckily, she had never moved out of their shared place, and he still had a copy of the key.
“Chris, you don’t understand!” she wailed, and he didn’t care. He demanded the truth.
His results were indeed a plan. A ruse. A scheme. A betrayal. It was all designed so he would dump Amanda and go to Ciara. Somehow, his mother had discovered how much Amanda wanted to have children. They thought they would separate from the news.
But their plan went even better after Amanda’s pregnancy announcement. Mrs. Castillo mustered her best acting and put on that show. Everyone knew. His parents, Ciara’s parents, and the technician they had paid off and fired later to give the erroneous results. His doctor had even been deceived because he had only seen the fake labs and images.
“You will never see me again,” he told his mother and hung up.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
He knocked, realized Amanda was not home, and decided to go in. He entered the second room and saw the beautiful space she had built for their son. It was blue. There were clouds painted on the walls and toys lying around.
Chris also walked into their bedroom and saw that everything was mostly the same. He sat down on her side of the bed and wanted to break down in tears. But he had to contain himself and think hard. How am I going to win her back and apologize for everything? Will she believe me? he pondered, but the tears showed up, and they wouldn’t stop.
Eventually, he fell asleep.
***
“AAAAH!” Amanda yelled after turning on the light in her room. “Get out of here! I’m calling the police!”
“Amanda!” Chris rushed out of the bed. “Amanda! Amanda! It’s me!”
“Chris! Hell! How could you just walk in here? Are you insane? I was about to grab a knife!” Amanda yelled and hit his shoulder slightly; then she saw his tear-streaked face. “Why are you here in the first place?”
“We need to talk…” he looked down, wetting his parched lips.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
***
“I guess… I’m not surprised, but it’s… still… so unbelievable,” she said after telling her the entire story.
“Yeah,” Chris nodded. “I’m so sorry. I should’ve believed you. I should’ve asked for more tests. I was shocked by the news, and I didn’t know if you would leave me because you always wanted a family. I was an idiot.”
“Yeah, you were,” Amanda agreed. “But I guess it finally makes sense. Like… everything fits. I’m not saying it’s right. But I get it.”
“Is there any way you can forgive me?”
“Life’s too short for grudges.”
“And is there any way I can be in his life?”
“That I don’t know,” Amanda looked down. “It’s been… hard. It’s been lonely. It’s not what we planned together. I don’t know if there’s any going back.”
She had held back tears until now, as the moisture ran slowly down her face as she remembered all that had happened in almost two years. Chris cried with her.
“I know it’ll take me forever, but I will make this up to you. No matter what happens… even if you and I can’t pick up where we left off, you and him are my family. My only family,” he swore, and Amanda looked into his aching, puffy eyes and knew that he was determined.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“First… you should meet Paul, your son,” Amanda began, wiping her face. “And then, we probably need to think about suing Mr. Geoffrey.”
Chris laughed and cried at the same time. She was her cheerful self despite everything, and as usual, she was right. He needed a lawyer.
What can we learn from this story?
- Always get a second opinion. There can always be false results in the medical field, so you should always check with someone else when a diagnosis seems too drastic.
- Give your partner the benefit of the doubt and let them explain. Chris could’ve saved himself so much pain if he had allowed Amanda to speak. The scheme might’ve been discovered immediately.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.
If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a woman who thought her husband was infertile until she met two younger men who looked just like him.
This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.
Meu marido trouxe a amante para casa para me expulsar – ele mal sabia que estaria sem teto uma hora depois
Depois de anos tentando manter meu casamento, pensei que flagrar meu marido com outra mulher seria o fundo do poço. Mas nada poderia ter me preparado para a forma como ele esfregou a amante na minha cara ou para o aliado inesperado que apareceu para consertar as coisas.
Eu não sabia que um casamento poderia acabar assim, mas meu marido, Logan, decidiu fazer um espetáculo público desse desastre total. Se eu soubesse do que ele era capaz, talvez tivesse previsto isso.
Uma mulher com cara de triste | Fonte: Gemini
Deixa eu voltar um pouco no tempo. Sou casada com o Logan há cinco anos, e digamos que a parte de conto de fadas não durou muito. As coisas começaram bem, e estávamos genuinamente juntos nessa.
Mas os problemas surgiram, e nossas lutas para conceber um bebê afetaram ainda mais o nosso relacionamento do que eu imaginava a princípio. Minha saúde mental piorou e eu me senti um fracasso total.
Enquanto isso, Logan começou a se afastar em vez de me apoiar. Ele parecia mais interessado em “se encontrar”, o que aparentemente significava ir à academia e comprar um carro veloz.
Um homem em um carro conversível | Fonte: Gemini
Eu questionava tudo sobre mim. Culpava meu próprio corpo por não conseguir engravidar. Mas nunca pensei…
Enfim, ontem à noite, minha melhor amiga Lola me convenceu a sair de casa para clarear a mente e me divertir um pouco. Meu marido tinha me dito que ficaria na academia até tarde, então fomos a um clube de jazz aconchegante e mal iluminado no centro da cidade, onde a música era linda, mas não alta o suficiente para impedir uma conversa.
O clima na boate era perfeito para uma pequena distração. Lola me fez rir e me deixou de bom humor, quando de repente ficou em silêncio. Seus olhos se arregalaram enquanto ela olhava para algum lugar por cima do meu ombro.
Pessoas em um clube de jazz | Fonte: Gemini
“Natasha… não quero te alarmar, mas… é o Logan?”
Um pavor gelado tomou conta do meu corpo. Você pode chamar de intuição feminina, ou talvez tenha sido o que vi em seu rosto. Mas eu sabia o que veria assim que comecei a me virar.
Sentado a uma mesa de canto, vi meu marido com uma jovem mulher sobre seus ombros. Ela estava rindo, e ele se inclinou, sussurrando algo em seu ouvido.
Um casal em uma boate se abraçando | Fonte: Gemini
Nada parecido com isso jamais tinha acontecido comigo, mesmo durante meus relacionamentos na faculdade. Então, eu nunca imaginei que seria o tipo de mulher que causaria uma cena. Mas meu corpo se moveu por vontade própria.
Num piscar de olhos, eu estava bem na mesa deles e meu desabafo fez os dois pularem. “Logan, você está falando sério agora?!”, gritei.
Meu marido olhou para cima, confuso e assustado por um segundo. Mas logo vi alívio em seu rosto e, pior de tudo, sua expressão se transformou em um sorriso irônico.
Um casal em um bar olhando para cima | Fonte: Gemini
“Natasha, bem, finalmente”, disse ele com aquele sorriso bobo ainda no rosto. A garota ao lado dele, Brenda, sorriu de volta e olhou para mim como se tivesse vencido.
“Logan”, tentei falar, sem nem saber o que diria, mas ele me interrompeu.
“Olha, Natasha. É melhor que agora você saiba. Não preciso mais esconder”, disse ele, despreocupado. “Estou apaixonado por outra pessoa. Terminamos. Acabou.”
Assim, sem mais nem menos. Sem hesitação. Sem remorso. Eu queria gritar, chorar, dar um tapa na cara dele, mas, de alguma forma, fiquei ali, paralisada.
Uma mulher em um clube de jazz parecendo chateada | Fonte: Gemini
De repente, Lola pegou meu braço, murmurando algo sobre como Logan se arrependeria disso um dia, e me guiou para fora.
Nem percebi quando ela dirigiu meu carro direto para o apartamento dela até que ela me sentou na cama, e foi aí que eu finalmente desabei.
Na manhã seguinte, depois de quase não dormir, decidi ir para casa e confrontá-lo. Talvez ele tivesse caído em si.
Mas quando cheguei em casa, a visão que tive foi como descobrir que ele estava trapaceando novamente.
Uma mulher dirigindo e parecendo chocada | Fonte: Gemini
Lá, no gramado da frente, estavam todas as minhas coisas — espalhadas, como se fossem lixo. Roupas, porta-retratos, até meus velhos livros da faculdade, simplesmente jogados fora sem pensar duas vezes.
E lá estava ele, parado na varanda com Brenda ao seu lado, sorrindo como se tivesse acabado de ganhar na loteria. Saí do carro sentindo a dormência tomar conta e caminhei lentamente até eles.
Logan foi direto ao ponto. “Acho que não preciso te lembrar, mas esta casa pertence ao meu avô, e você não tem direito a ela”, zombou ele, enquanto meu rosto permanecia inexpressivo. “Você está fora. Pegue suas coisas e vá embora. Agora.”
Um casal na varanda da frente com um ar presunçoso | Fonte: Gemini
Fiquei ali, completamente entorpecida, enquanto suas palavras eram assimiladas. Além de me trair e me largar, ele estava me expulsando da minha própria casa. E o pior? Ele parecia estar curtindo cada segundo.
Mesmo assim, tentei manter a compostura. De jeito nenhum eu lhe daria a satisfação de me ver desmoronar. Então, simplesmente comecei a juntar minhas coisas, enfiando roupas e pertences aleatórios no porta-malas do meu carro. Mas a humilhação me consumia profundamente.
Em vez de entrar como Logan, Brenda ficou na varanda me observando. Ela não conseguia nem esconder o divertimento. Quando olhei para cima, ela decidiu jogar sal na minha ferida.
Uma mulher com um olhar presunçoso | Fonte: Gemini
“Mal posso esperar para redecorar esta casa”, suspirou ela, feliz, cruzando os braços. “É tudo coisa de velha, e tão feio.”
Meu rosto permaneceu inexpressivo. Eu tentava pensar em qualquer coisa minha que pudesse permanecer ali dentro enquanto colocava minhas coisas no carro. Era um sedã simples, então eu definitivamente precisava de outra viagem.
Tomara que Lola não se importasse de eu ficar com ela por um tempo. Mas enquanto eu refletia sobre essas coisas para não demonstrar qualquer emoção ou desabar de novo, ouvi: o ronco de um carro parando atrás de mim.
Uma mulher com cara de choque enquanto segura uma caixa | Fonte: Gemini
Virei-me e lá, saindo de uma BMW preta e elegante, estava o Sr. Duncan, avô de Logan. E ele parecia confuso.
Agora, se tem uma coisa que todos na cidade sabem é que o Sr. Duncan pode ser durão. Ele construiu uma fortuna familiar do nada. Por isso, tinha grandes expectativas em relação a todos os seus filhos e netos.
No começo, pensei que ser parente da família seria difícil por causa dele. Mas, por razões que nunca entendi, ele me tratou incrivelmente bem desde o começo. Ele me amou com o neto dele.
Um velho sorrindo | Fonte: Gemini
Mesmo assim, eu ainda estava com medo do que aconteceria enquanto ele observava a cena com meus pertences no gramado, uma mulher estranha na varanda e Logan em lugar nenhum.
“Logan, querido, venha aqui!” Brenda gritou, preocupada.
E o som da voz dela fez o Sr. Duncan franzir a testa a princípio. Depois, sua expressão mudou de confusão para pura raiva.
“Que diabos está acontecendo aqui?!” A voz do Sr. Duncan ecoou quando Logan saiu de boca aberta.
Um homem mais velho com cara de bravo | Fonte: Gemini
“Vovô, não sabíamos que você viria hoje”, começou ele, engolindo em seco. “Não é a melhor hora. Estamos lidando com um assunto particular. Você não entenderia.”
“Logan, eu posso ser velho, mas entendo exatamente o que está acontecendo”, respondeu o Sr. Duncan com sua voz rouca. “Só perguntei porque não queria acreditar no que via.”
“Vovô”, tentou Logan, mas não conseguiu dizer mais nada.
“Parece que você expulsou minha neta favorita de casa e está morando com aquela vagabunda. Será que eu fiz algo errado?”, continuou o Sr. Duncan, rispidamente, e não me senti mal com o insulto que ele fez à Brenda.
Um velho apontando em acusação | Fonte: Gemini
“Vovô, Natasha e eu… terminamos. Ela não pertence mais aqui.”
“E quem lhe deu o direito de decidir isso?” O Sr. Duncan arqueou as sobrancelhas. Ele me olhou por um segundo com ternura antes de voltar a olhar para Logan.
“Deixe-me lembrá-lo de que esta casa me pertence. Deixei você morar aqui porque vocês estavam começando uma família juntos”, continuou ele. “Mas se você vai tratar a Natasha como se ela fosse descartável, pode se considerar fora. Com efeito imediato.”
Um velho apontando e gritando | Fonte: Gemini
O rosto de Logan empalideceu. “O que… o que você está dizendo?”
O Sr. Duncan nem piscou. “Estou dizendo que a Natasha vai ficar e você vai embora. Não só isso, mas, a partir de agora, estou cortando seu contato. Considere todo o meu dinheiro e apoio perdidos. Você acha que pode agir assim? Desrespeitar sua esposa e fazer nossa família ficar em má situação por causa de uma crise de meia-idade e uma interesseira de 20 anos? Não no meu comando!”
“Vovô!”
Duas pessoas na varanda da frente, chocadas | Fonte: Gemini
“Saia agora!”
***
Assim que Logan e Brenda foram embora, o Sr. Duncan me conduziu para dentro e revelou o motivo de sua visita. “Natasha, meu filho me contou sobre os problemas de fertilidade entre você e Logan, e vim aqui me oferecer para pagar pela fertilização in vitro.”
“Ah, senhor”, resmunguei. Minhas emoções finalmente estavam vindo à tona.
“Mas parece que cheguei bem a tempo de ver esse desastre. Você não merece nada disso”, ele continuou, e eu quase não consegui lidar com sua gentileza.
Um velho olhando gentilmente para alguém | Fonte: Gemini
Engoli em seco. “Obrigada, Sr. Duncan… Eu… Eu não sabia o que fazer, então comecei a arrumar as coisas no meu carro.”
Ele colocou a mão no meu ombro para me tranquilizar, enquanto balançava a cabeça. “Não precisa. Considere esta casa sua. Eu cuido de toda a papelada e oficializo. É também o meu pedido de desculpas por não ter criado um neto melhor.”
Assenti enquanto lágrimas caíam dos meus olhos.
Nos dias que se seguiram, o Sr. Duncan cumpriu sua palavra. Meu nome foi incluído na escritura, e Logan foi privado do dinheiro e do sustento da família.
Um documento com o nome Natasha | Fonte: Midjourney
Ouvi boatos de que Brenda não ficou por muito tempo depois que percebeu que as contas bancárias estavam fechadas e, aparentemente, Logan estava dormindo no sofá entre amigos.
Deve ter sido um golpe no ego dele, porque ele voltou rastejando apenas uma semana depois daquela cena no meu jardim.
Ele ainda estava com as mesmas roupas daquele dia e parecia horrível.
Um homem desgrenhado na varanda | Fonte: Gêmeos
“Eu cometi um erro. Não me resta nada. O resto da minha família não vai me ajudar. Você pode, por favor, ligar para o meu avô? Ele vai te ouvir”, Logan desabafou, sem rodeios. “Não posso viver assim.”
Não houve pedido de desculpas nem verdadeiro remorso pelo que ele fez por mim. Ele só lamentou ter perdido o dinheiro e a influência da família.
Então, eu consegui dizer as palavras que qualquer pessoa na minha situação gostaria de dizer. “Não! Você arrumou sua cama, deite-se nela!” Era clichê e cruel, mas acredite, foi tão gratificante naquele momento.
Uma mulher sorrindo presunçosamente | Fonte: Gemini
Sua expressão mudou para raiva imediatamente, e antes que ele pudesse me insultar, bati a porta na cara dele. Eu ainda ouvia seus gritos, mas suas palavras saíam de mim, exaltadas pela vingança.
Talvez eu me sinta mal por ele mais tarde. Mas o que ele esperava? Um pirralho arrogante!
A penas um mês depois que minha mãe perdeu a batalha contra o câncer, meu pai levou sua amante para casa no Natal e a apresentou como minha “NOVA MÃE”. Meu coração se partiu, mas não foi a única coisa que me deixou abalada.
Esta obra é inspirada em eventos e pessoas reais, mas foi ficcionalizada para fins criativos. Nomes, personagens e detalhes foram alterados para proteger a privacidade e enriquecer a narrativa. Qualquer semelhança com pessoas reais, vivas ou mortas, ou eventos reais é mera coincidência e não é intencional do autor.
O autor e a editora não se responsabilizam pela precisão dos eventos ou pela representação dos personagens e não se responsabilizam por qualquer interpretação errônea. Esta história é fornecida “como está” e quaisquer opiniões expressas são dos personagens e não refletem a visão do autor ou da editora.
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