Before I could register his words, my hand flew up and slapped him across the face.
I screamed at my husband, "Don't you dare talk to me about the child! Having a father like you would be his misfortune!"
Without waiting for a response, I spun around and ran into the bedroom, slamming the door behind me. A second later, I heard James outside, yelling in frustration. Eventually, the shouting faded, and tears streamed uncontrollably down my face.
When Lindsay joined the company, things had changed between us. My sense of security vanished, replaced by suspicion and anxiety. I found myself constantly wondering if he still loved me. At one point, I even considered having a child just to keep him tied to me. But when I first showed him the positive pregnancy test, I'll never forget the furious, twisted look on his face.
He had been texting Lindsay then, and in a split second, he smashed his phone against the table, shattering the screen. "The company's expanding, and money is tight. I can't afford a kid right now. Just get rid of it."
I was shocked, angry, and heartbroken, but I stood my ground and refused. Not long after, James invited me to a business event. We hadn't gone anywhere together in two years, so I assumed it was work-related and agreed with little thought.
But when I found myself surrounded by a group of greasy, middle-aged men raising their glasses toward me, I realized what was happening. I glanced at him, hoping for help, but he was too busy bragging about how much I could drink.
Forced to down glass after glass, my tears mixed with the liquor. An hour later, I collapsed to the ground, my skirt soaked in blood. Only then did James finally take me to the hospital, but it was too late. The baby was gone.
That's why I hadn't told him about this pregnancy.
If he hadn't used the excuse of being too broke to raise a child back then, maybe I wouldn't have been so triggered by his actions of giving away houses and company shares like they were nothing. Looking back, he probably had plans for that money all along. Our child's existence disrupted his pursuit of his 'true love,' and that's why he was so angry.
Seeing Lindsay's latest post on social media confirmed what I already knew. This marriage was over.