Chapter 40

                                    

                                          
Shattered. That's what I felt as I backed away from the scene in front of me. Pregnant? That's not... Daniel looked at his wife wide eyed, then at me approaching slowly. "Cerulean..."
                          
I took another step back. "I... should go."
                          
When I turned to leave, I was engulfed in arms. "It's not true. She's lying, Cerulean."
                          
I dropped my head, going barely above a whisper. "Let me go, Daniel."
                          
He tightened his hold. "Please, listen..."
                          
The desperation in his voice was heart twisting. "Daniel... I need you to let me go."
                          
I felt him shaking as he released me. "Tell her the truth Diedra..."
                          
His deadly tone had me looking up at him concerned. "I am telling the truth."
                          
He whirled around, seething. "I haven't touched you in years. It's impossible."
                          
She glared at me. "Why are you lying to this girl, Daniel? Where do you think he is when you're not around?" I shook my head. "Home, with his wife where he belongs."
                          
"Diedra!" I grabbed his hand as he took a step towards her. "Ceru-"
                          
"Can we go now... please?" He turned to face me. "You can't hurt her..."
                          
I knew she was lying, but some part of me knew there was some truth to her words. He deserves better; the house, the cars, everything he left behind... and if she was pregnant... I blinked as his hands cupped my face. "I want nothing to do with her, Cerulean. Please believe me, I'm happy now, with you."
                          
I put my hands over his. "And if she is pregnant... with your..."
                          
He clenched his jaw. "She's not... I haven't touched her."
                          
"But we did have your sperm saved, just in case we decided to try later..."
                          
I closed my eyes, tightening my grip around his fingers. "You..." He pulled me to him and dialed a number. "Hello, Dr. Fernandez this is Daniel." I stood motionless, I wanted to leave, to cry, to scream, but I couldn't. Not when my legs felt like lead and Daniel held me in place.  Not when, if I did get away there was no guarantee he wouldn't hurt his wife. "Thank you."
                          
He glared behind him. "Another lie, you haven't been to the clinic since that day."
                          
"Nothing stopping me from going."
                          
I clutched at his shirt. "I want to leave, Daniel. I don't want to deal with this anymore."
                          
He tensed. "Wha-"
                          
I let my eyes fixed on his chest. "I just... want to go home. We both can't be here anyway, not with the restraining order."
                          
He sighed. "Can I go with you?"
                          
I shrugged. "That's up to you."
                          
He pushed my chin up. "Give me a minute." Wrapping my arms around myself, I kept my eyes trained on the wall.
                          
I heard Diedra shift closer to me. "You'd have him broke and struggling rather than him be happy with his family... with me." I didn't say anything. "You're so fucking selfish and you can't even admit it."
                          
I looked at her sadly. "If this is the life he chooses... I will fight with him, not against. He's worth it."
                          
She began to turn red with anger. "He should choose his wife, family, and home!  Not a selfish child who doesn't even make time for him!"
                          
"That's enough." I looked up as he blocked her from my view, looking down at me. "Even if you chose to leave me today... this would still be my choice."