The Rain That Night, Like a Sweet Dream Unfolding Chapter 2

Asher visited my hospital room every day. And every day, he’d take a call and rush out.

I knew he was going to see Celeste.

But he was a master of deception. No matter how late it was, he always came back to my room, curling up on the small cot beside my bed, his body pressed against mine. Once, as he was leaving, he paused and pressed a hand to my belly, whispering softly.

“Daddy will be right back.”

In that moment, I found his very existence repulsive. I was done being polite.

“Why don’t you take that fruit basket to Miss Celeste?” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Since you can’t seem to stay away from her.”

The warmth on his face shattered. He just stood there, speechless.

“Let’s not fight,” he finally managed. “The baby can hear us.”

I slapped him. The sound echoed in the quiet room.

“Does the baby know its father almost got it killed for his old flame?”

Asher’s hands clenched into fists at his sides. His face was a mask of pleading.

Just then, Celeste’s call came through.

“Asher, my stitches tore again… it hurts so much…” Her voice was a syrupy, seductive purr he could never resist. He was on his feet in an instant.

I turned my head away, refusing to look at him as he left.

A moment later, a message popped up on my phone. It was from Mr. Davies, one of our biggest clients, wanting to discuss a contract. Davies was generous, but he had one major flaw: he insisted on sealing every deal over copious amounts of alcohol.

The system warned me. If I went, I would have to drink. And I couldn’t drink while pregnant.

My expression turned to ice.

I knew the risks. Asher had lectured me about them endlessly. But I didn’t care.

I’m leaving this world soon, I told the system. This baby was never meant to be born.

It was a product of lust, not a child of love. It wasn’t something to be cherished. Besides, landing this massive contract with Davies would accelerate the company’s growth. It would push Asher’s comeback progress to 99%.

I went to the dinner. I drank until everyone was satisfied, and I walked away with a signed contract.

I’d thrown up three times before I got home, my stomach feeling like it was on fire.

When I opened the door, I heard Asher’s voice, unusually cheerful.

“I bought so many little outfits for the baby today, and a stroller! We should start decorating the nursery…”

Then he smelled the alcohol on me.

His words died in his throat. The atmosphere in the room dropped ten degrees. He gently steadied me, his face a thundercloud. He helped me remove my makeup, cleaned my face, forced a sobriety tonic down my throat, and called our family doctor.

“You know you can’t drink while you’re pregnant!” he finally exploded, his voice low and furious. He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. His eyes burned with anger, but a sheen of tears swam in them.

I patted his cheek and laughed.

“I was out there building an empire for you and Celeste,” I slurred. “What’s with the concerned husband act? Deep down, you’re probably hoping I drink myself to death so you can make room for your precious old flame, right?”

He cut me off with a desperate kiss, trying to smother the cruel words.

I shoved him away with all my strength.

“Don’t touch me. You’re filthy! While I was entertaining clients, where were you?”

The color drained from his face.

I unlocked my phone and pulled up the message Celeste had sent me earlier. It was a photo of her and Asher. She was in a hospital bed with an IV in her arm, and he was asleep in a chair beside her.

On his forehead was the clear imprint of a lipstick kiss.

“It’s not what you think!” he stammered. “I just… I hate her for what she did! I wanted to see how pathetic her life has become!”

I closed my eyes. I called him pathetic, a fool who deserved to be tricked, a dog who would always go back to his own vomit.

After seven years, a husband and wife know exactly where to stick the knife.

He stormed out. Not thirty minutes later, Celeste updated her social media.

A picture of two hands, intertwined. The caption read: He’s back with me.