After the Last Tear: Rising from the Ashes of a Broken Marriage novel Chapter 19

"Alistair, I made my choice when I married you knowing you'd never be faithful. I accepted the consequences, which is why I've handled ninety-nine of your mistresses over three years. Wasn't I a good enough wife for you?"

"Why would you humiliate me like this?"

Tears shimmered in her eyes, blurring her vision. She smiled bitterly, blinking to force them back.

Alistair felt a sharp pain in his chest. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something—anything—but the words wouldn't come.

He reached up to wipe away her tears, but Elaine stepped back, avoiding his touch.

She turned her face away, refusing to look at him. As she lowered her head, a tear fell straight to the floor with an audible splash.

"You promised me you wouldn't have a child with anyone else, Alistair. You broke that promise. So let's just end this. I don't want someone else's child, and I don't want to be trapped in the past anymore."

Elaine took a deep breath before finishing. "Forget it. Just go home and don't come looking for me again. Let's pretend those three years never happened. I'm begging you—just let me go."

The door closed firmly in his face, leaving Alistair speechless.

He stared at the shut door for a long time before whispering, "I'm sorry."

He lowered his head, stunned and empty, then turned to leave, his mind anything but calm.

Elaine, I'm sorry. I was so selfish. I made you suffer and brought us to this point.I'm sorry I realized my feelings too late.

If we could start over, if I made different choices, would you come back to me?

Inside the room, Elaine listened as his footsteps faded away. When they were gone, she finally composed herself, taking a deep breath as she stared blankly at the floor.

Alistair, from now on, let's be strangers.

Vivian's heart skipped a beat. Her eyes widened in shock. She forced a smile, tears welling up. "You're joking, right? That's not funny..."

The doctor was equally surprised. "Terminate? Are you sure?"

When Alistair nodded, a wave of pity spread through the room.

For the past month, everyone at the hospital knew how devoted Alistair had been to Vivian's pregnancy. Just two weeks ago, when she'd shown signs of miscarriage, he'd commandeered the entire city's blood supply as a precaution.

Yet now, everything had changed.

She'd been dragged here disheveled, without even shoes, showing how rushed their arrival had been.

As the nurse reached for her arm, Vivian yanked herself free,"I get it now, okay?" she sobbed, clutching at Alistair's pant leg. "I won't try to replace her. I'll stay in my lane. Whatever you want—just please," her voice cracked, "don't take my baby."