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Chapter_19
Smooth-Talker
The tension in the room was suffocating. I held Ava tightly, her soft sobs mingling with my own as I faced Matthew. His eyes darted nervously between me and his phone, his fingers hovering over it as if it were a ticking time bomb.
I couldn’t take it anymore. “Answer it!” I demanded, my voice cutting through the heavy silence.
Matthew froze, the color draining from his face. He knew he couldn’t escape this confrontation.
“You will answer this call in front of me if you have any conscience left. I’ll give you one last chance!” I said firmly, my grip tightening around my daughter.
A long moment of stillness passed before I spoke again, my voice breaking, “I used to believe my husband would never betray me, even in a world full of lies. You’ve let me down.”
The words hung in the air, sharp and painful. I had never imagined I’d have to say them. The concept of betrayal felt foreign, but here I was, facing it in its rawest form. My heart broke for both me and Ava. My cries mixed with her pain, creating a symphony of sorrow.
Finally, Matthew, still silent, took the phone. The ringtone felt like a hammer striking, each ring echoing in the space between us. I stared at him, my gaze fierce, demanding the truth.
“Answer it,” I spat through gritted teeth.
Reluctantly, Matthew glanced at the phone. “I-It’s Melanie,” he said, his voice faltering.
“Answer it!” I snapped, not giving him a moment’s reprieve.
Hesitantly, Matthew answered, “Mel, I’m in the middle of something with Chloe right now. Can we talk later?”
The voice on the other end was unmistakable—it was Melanie. “Oh, sure. I’ll call you tomorrow then!” she chirped, completely unaware of the tension building in the room.
Matthew hung up, looking at me with an expression that could only be described as an innocent act. It didn’t fool me for a second.
I was too overwhelmed to confront him any further. Ava’s cries for me broke my resolve, and I couldn’t stand it. I stood up, clutching my daughter to my chest, and retreated to our room, slamming the door behind me.
Matthew’s voice called after me, but I didn’t respond. I couldn’t face him. The man I had trusted, the man I had shared my life with, was nothing more than a smooth-talking liar. Melanie was undoubtedly covering for him, and I didn’t expect any less from her, especially after everything she’d said to me.
As I cradled Ava, I felt as though the ground beneath me had shifted. Matthew had led a double life, and I had been blind to it. For years, I had clung to the fantasy of our perfect marriage, only for the reality to crash down on me in the worst way.
Matthew stood outside the door, calling my name, but I didn’t acknowledge him. I couldn’t. The guilt of his actions weighed heavily on me, and I couldn’t look at him the same way anymore. I held Ava close that night, the image of her fall haunting me. My heart ached with regret, and sleep was nowhere to be found.
The next morning, Matthew tried to play the role of the contrite husband. He made breakfast and waited outside Ava’s room, his posture stiff, as though expecting a miracle.
As I got Ava dressed and carried her out, Matthew embraced us both, his face full of guilt. “Chlo, please don’t be mad. I was wrong. Please forgive me,” he pleaded, pressing his face to Ava’s cheek as if to seek absolution from her, too.
“I feel even worse for you, little one. I’m so sorry,” he whispered, gently touching Ava’s swollen lips, his eyes reddened with emotion. But I knew the truth—he was the cause of her pain.
“Chlo, please believe me,” he continued, desperation creeping into his voice. “I would never betray you. I know I’ve been neglecting you, and I’m sorry. Maybe we’ve both lost our way a little.”
I was torn, seeing him like this, but I reminded myself of the bigger picture. I couldn’t allow myself to fall for his manipulation again. “How about we go on a vacation to Tarantino this weekend, just the three of us? We can visit the amusement park and then go to the spa,” he suggested, trying to buy my forgiveness with promises of a trip.
It hurt to see him so broken, but I knew better than to believe him. I’d learned my lesson the hard way. I composed myself and replied, “All right. Hurry and eat your food before you go to work. Melanie’s words last night really got to me. But forget it.”
I mentioned Melanie on purpose, hoping for some kind of reaction, but Matthew didn’t bite. Instead, he cheered, as though he had won some small victory.
“You’re so reasonable, honey,” he said, his voice smooth and soothing. “I knew you’d understand. Don’t lower yourself to her level. I love you more than anything.”
I couldn’t help but suppress a bitter laugh. So reasonable that I let him cheat on me. I nodded in response, “Okay, let’s eat.”
Ava, oblivious to the tension, sat between us, hugging us both. She babbled happily, a small light in an otherwise dark situation. As we ate breakfast, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. Ava’s swollen lips reminded me of the betrayal that had caused it all, and I knew I couldn’t let this go. I had to uncover the other woman’s identity, no matter the cost.