Chapter 2
582words
No excuses. No denials. He just admitted it like it was nothing.
All strength drained from my body as I sank into the sofa.
"Why?" My voice cracked.
"It was an accident. I was drunk, not thinking clearly..." Nathan reached for my hand, but I slapped it away.
"An accident?" I laughed bitterly. "An accident that's been walking and talking for seven years? Do you think I'm a complete fool?"
Seven years ago. When we were newlyweds.
It was also when Cosmos Technology was fighting to survive. I'd leveraged every Harrington family connection to secure the investments and contracts that saved it.
And while I was breaking my back for our future, he was busy making a child with another woman.
"Iris, I know I screwed up," Nathan dropped to his knees, eyes pleading. "I've wanted to tell you for years, but I was terrified you'd... Look, I ended things with her ages ago, but she insisted on keeping the baby. I couldn't just walk away from my responsibility."
"So you've been hiding a second family from me this whole time?" The absurdity of it made me want to laugh and scream at once.
"It's not like that! I just send them money each month—doing my duty as a father!" His words tumbled out desperately. "Iris, you're the one I've always loved. This home—you and Andy—you're everything to me!"
"Nathan Miller." I stared at him, my heart nothing but ashes. "I want a divorce."
The word "divorce" transformed his face in an instant.
"No!" The refusal shot out without hesitation. "I won't agree to it! Could you really let Andy grow up in a broken home?"
Using our son as a shield. Again.
"Cosmos is about to go public—I can't have any scandals right now! Please, Iris, just give me some time. I'll handle this. I swear I won't let them affect our lives."
Never my feelings. Always his career. His precious reputation.
He clutched at my legs, groveling in the dust.
Looking at this stranger I'd loved for ten years, I felt nothing but ice-cold detachment.
I closed my eyes, drew a deep breath, and when I opened them, my vision was crystal clear.
"Fine," I said. "I won't divorce you. But you must agree to one condition."
Relief flashed across Nathan's face. "Name it. Anything."
"Make Vivian Woods and that child withdraw from the school immediately. I want them gone from our lives. Completely."
Nathan hesitated.
Just seconds of hesitation, but each one drove through my heart like a needle.
His face contorted with discomfort. "Leo's enrollment is already processed. Making him leave now would be unfair to him..."
"And my son's feelings don't matter?" I cut him off, my voice arctic. "Get this straight, Nathan. Andy is your only legitimate son. Did you ever consider what it would do to him—to me—having your bastard child at the same school?"
My words left him speechless.
He hung his head, defeated. "I'll talk to Vivian. Ask her to keep Leo away from you and Andy."
His grand concession.
I laughed—a hollow sound.
Not appear? Same school, same grade—who was he kidding?
He never intended to solve anything. Just stalling. Going through the motions.
"Fine." I nodded coolly. "Remember what you promised today."
Relief washed over his face at my apparent surrender.
He rose to embrace me, but I stepped aside. "I'm exhausted. I'll sleep in the guest room."
Without another glance, I climbed the stairs, leaving him standing alone.
