Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts novel Chapter 259

Back then, I was all in, busting my chops just to do my job right, pouring most of my energy into work. I learned to navigate the waters of social interaction, learned how to play the game, and learned to tailor my words to different people. Social events came thick and fast, and I started to spend less and less time with your mom. When I got home, she was always already asleep, and when I woke up, she was already out working.

We lived like this for a long time. Your mom was always confident and independent, and I didn't realize there was an issue with her mood.

Looking back, your mom probably started suffering from depression around that time.

If I'd noticed sooner, she wouldn't have taken that road to nowhere.

One day, Silas noticed something was up with your mom and gave me a heads-up. I planned to go home and sort things out. But then Shirley dropped a bombshell on me, and told me she had a kid, my kid, who was already more than ten years old.

I was startled.

I didn't believe a word she said, but she came prepared. She showed me photos and brought along some of the kid's hair.

The kid's eyes in the photo hit me like a punch to the gut. They were like mine, and like yours too. We three had incredibly similar eyes, and I couldn't deny it.

I got a paternity test done, and just as I thought, the kid was indeed my daughter, a result of me stepping out while your mom was pregnant.

I couldn't wrap my head around it. I was repulsed by the truth. Knowing your mom's temperament, I couldn't bring myself to tell her. I gave Shirley loads of money and told her not to come around again.

This secret began to weigh me down, and I started to dread seeing your mom. I was afraid to face her unconditional trust in me. I used work as an excuse and only went home after she was asleep. A few times, I realized she was only pretending to sleep.

We used to be a couple who shared everything, but this secret created a rift between us. Your mom must have sensed that I was avoiding something, but she never asked, and I sure as hell wasn't going to tell her.

I felt that our marriage was heading for the rocks, so I started treating her even better, and tried to get back to how we were when we first got married.

We did get back to the way we were, but the peace didn't last long. News of Emma fighting at school reached me. Despite knowing she was hurt, I had the nerve to ignore her.

In the end, I couldn't help but sneak a peek at her, which ended up opening a whole new can of worms.