How had I not seen this before? Ross was nothing more than a self-absorbed fool.
I was just about to explain myself when I heard Winnie’s voice in the background, all syrupy and coy: “Ross, what are you doing? Come on, let’s eat. Sean and I have been waiting for you.”
I couldn’t help but mock him. “No wonder you have no time for us – you’re too busy with your precious ‘sister,’ aren’t you?”
“Maisie, what’s your problem? I’m just helping out! Winnie’s pregnant – unlike you, she’s helpless in the kitchen,” he snapped.
Pregnant. The word hit me like a punch. My composure shattered.
“You have the nerve to worry about someone else’s child. What about ours, Ross? Did you ever care for me? Or your own baby?”
His tone turned cold, dismissive.
“This is pointless…”
But Winnie chimed in with a sweet laugh, “Maisie, we’re both expecting mothers. I get how it is – those pregnancy hormones can mess with your emotions. Not all moms are as lucky as me, but don’t be too upset.”
Her words cut me like a knife.
I felt my strength slipping away as pain flared at my still-healing wound.
Ross’s voice drifted in with an indulgent murmur: “Don’t worry about her. Your health is all that matters, Winnie. Whatever you need, I’ll be there.”
I struggled to breathe as tears streamed down my face.
He had never cared for me, not once. What was I to him in these two years? A convenient piece of furniture, nothing more.
Before I could say another word, he hung up.
Crushed, I let out a sob.
Ellie rushed over, wrapping me in a comforting embrace. “Let it out, Maisie,” she whispered, soothing me. “He’s not worth it. Your baby understood that much – that someone like him could never be a true father.”
“It’s okay. If they ignore the papers, we’ll sue. This marriage is ending, one way or another.”
My best friend and I spent three weeks in the hospital.
During this time, we received not a single word from the brothers. No one asked where we were, why we hadn’t come home, or how we were doing.
Any last vestiges of hope we’d held onto seemed to dissolve completely under their cold indifference.
It wasn’t until we were checking out of the hospital that we finally ran into Sean.
He didn’t notice us, his attention locked on his destination down the hallway.
Curious, we quietly followed him to the maternity ward, where the reason for his absence became clear.