I was terrified. I knew I had to confess, and I had every intention of doing so. I just had to find the right time, figure out the best way to go about it. And as fucked up as it sounds, I didn’t want to hurt her. I didn’t want to cause pain to my Alexis. That’s what got me the most. I didn’t care about me. I didn’t matter in that whole scenario. All I could think about was the harrowing ramifications for Alexis due to my selfish actions. How do I admit what I did to the person I am supposed to protect above all others? Who I had hurt the most.

But as my flimsy excuses persisted and time dragged on, fate grew impatient.

I had successfully avoided Everly for three weeks until she managed to track me down and share her pregnancy news with me. Seven days of torture passed after that, and I was no closer to growing some metaphorical balls and coming forth with the truth. Riddled with guilt and shame, I couldn’t fathom the thought of having a baby with someone other than my wife.

Alexis and I both loved kids—even planned on trying to conceive in the next year. How did everything unravel so quickly?

I was with a client when I received a text. Two words abruptly imploded my world as I knew it.

Everly: Time’s up.

She was taking matters into her own hands, ’cause who gave a fuck about what I wanted, right?

I dropped everything at work to race home, hoping and praying I would get there in time. Dread spread through me when I saw both cars outside my house—the house I shared with my wife.

I nearly busted down the door to get to her. Alexis. I wished I hadn’t.

A single look, and I knew I was going to lose her forever.

Alexis sat on the couch, blank and drained of colour as if she was a robot short-circuiting from an onslaught of malfunctions—the main being Everly, who spat her news with no qualms or hesitation. As if the scenario was matter-of-fact. As if the baby was a simple concept to accept.

Rage at myself, at Everly, at the whole fucked up situation consumed every cell as I stomped forward, pulling her away from Alexis, away from my fucking wife.

I have to protect my wife!

God, I was disgusting.

Why didn’t I protect her earlier? I should be protecting her from me!

I was the villain when I so wanted to be the hero. I was always her hero… until I wasn’t.

I didn’t even recognise myself.