“Elena—I can’t,” he said. “I love you so much.”
“And I love you too, Adrian,” I replied softly. “But that wasn’t enough for you.”
He swallowed hard. “It was enough, Elena. I was just... selfish.” He lowered his gaze.
“I knew it was wrong,” he said quietly. “And I still didn’t stop myself.”
He exhaled. “I let something stupid from my past get into my head. I let my ego take over.”
“But I promise you,” he continued, his voice shaking, “this won’t happen again, Elena. I will never hurt you with the same mistake. Please... forgive me. Just this once.”
I didn’t know whether his words were something I could hold onto. All I knew was that I was tired, tired of explanations and tired of deciding whether to leave or keep going with whatever remained between us, as if either option would spare me from pain.
So instead, I made him an offer.
I took a slow breath and met his eyes. “Can you accept this?” I asked, my voice steady. “Our relationship will change. I won’t be the same wife I used to be. I won’t be the partner you once had.” I paused, letting the weight of my words settle between us. “And I’m not rebuilding what we were.”
Adrian nodded slowly. He reached across the table, took my hand, and held it tight. “I’ll accept it, Elena,” he said. “Whatever you’re willing to give me…every version of you… I’ll take it. As long as we stay together.”
CHAPTER 12
Elena
It started with sudden contractions, slow at first, then coming closer and sharper. The last time I felt something like this, it turned out to be nothing more than a Braxton Hicks. I had made Adrian rush home like a madman, only for us to realize it was a false alarm.
So this time, I waited. I wanted to be certain before calling him.
I had already taken a week off from work. Adrian actually wanted me to take two weeks before the due date, but I refused. The thought of staying home alone with nothing to do only made my mind wander to places it didn’t need to go.
When the contractions began to sting a little more, I grabbed my phone and dialed his number. Thankfully, it didn’t take long for him to answer.
“I think it’s time,” I said, my breath uneven.
“What?” he said. “Are you going into labor already?”
“Yeah,” I replied. “I timed it with the app. They’re still about ten minutes apart, but they’re getting stronger.” I drew in a deep breath. “It isn’t like last time. I’m sure the baby’s coming.” I said, panic creeping into my voice.
“Alright. Alright. Okay, honey.” His voice wavered with rising adrenaline. “Just hang on for me, alright? I’m coming home now.” His words were gentle but rushed. “Please stay calm for me, baby. You’ve got this,” he added, sounding more like he was trying to convince himself than me.
When the call ended, I paced slowly around the living room, occasionally sitting on the birth ball and rocking gently, tryingto ease the tightening in my abdomen. Every minute waiting for him felt like an hour.
Then my phone rang again.
“I’m already on my way,” he said, breath rushed, though he was clearly trying to keep his voice steady. “Stay with me, sweetheart. Don’t hang up. I want to know you’re okay.”
“Okay. I’m fine. Just—drive safely, please. Ouch—” A sharper contraction cut through my words.
“Elena? Baby? What was that?” His voice spiked, tight with panic.
“It’s okay... just another contraction.” I pulled in a long, shaky breath, trying to steady myself.
“Breathe in, breathe out... baby, just like we practiced,” he murmured through the speaker, his voice low but trembling at the edges.
But the pain kept tightening, sharper and deeper, curling into my spine. My knees buckled, and I sank onto the floor, clutching my stomach.
“God—Adrian, it’s getting worse!” I cried out, the words breaking as another contraction tore through me.
“Baby, I know, I know. Just hold on for me.” His breath hitched, panic bleeding into every word despite his efforts to sound steady. “I’m almost there, sweetheart. Almost home. Breathe in, breathe out. You’ve got this, baby... please, just hold on.”
