Monica POV
“Hi,” Ethan said, waving his hand at me with a broad smile on his face but I wore a serious expression. Nicholas has been restless and rarely sleeps and I couldn’t help but worry.
“How are my kids?” he asked, taking Macy from my hand
“The kids are fine” I replied rudely, removing the “my” part.
I left Ethan alone in the kid’s room and went downstairs. I washed the kids feeding bottle, my mind still on Nicholas who has been behaving strangely recently.
I felt cold hands around my waist and I instantly turned in shock. Coming face to face with Ethan who was leaning his face to me, I abruptly raised my hand in the air and landed it on his cheeks
“Get your filthy hands off me”
“Why did you do that?” Ethan asked, his eyes blazing with anger while his right hand rested on his cheek, trying to soothe the pain from the slap.
“Why would you touch me inappropriately? You can’t touch me anyhow you like Ethan. It’s wrong”
“and why is it wrong?” He asked
“It’s wrong because I’m married to someone” I explained, hoping for his craziness to end there but he continued spitting rubbish from his mouth
“But you’re mine,” he said, gritting his teeth in anger
“I’m not yours Ethan. I don’t belong to you” I said, holding tightly to the feeding bottle in my hand just in case he wanted to try anything stupid.
“Leave Nichole Monica. Leave Nicholas and let’s be together. Let’s be like the way we were before Mia showed up. Give me a chance to prove to you that I’ve changed”
“You’re pathetic Ethan. You’re sick” I spat vehemently, disgusted by his offer
“Is that your answer? Are you rejecting me and refusing to come with me” he asked, glaring at me with his fist slightly clenched. “Don’t worry Monica, I will get you soon whether you like it or not”
With that, he stormed out of the kitchen, leaving me alone in the kitchen as I breathed in relief. I’m grateful Nicholas wasn’t here to see all these because if he had seen this, he would have caused a scene.
I waited in the living room for Nicholas to get back from work. The kids were already sleeping and I hadn’t had dinner because I didn’t want to eat alone.
“Welcome sir” The greeting from outside made me stand on my feet as I walked to the door and just before my hand could reach the doorknob, the door was already opened, Nicholas.
“Welcome honey,” I said excitedly, as I ran to give him a comforting hug while also shutting the door behind him.
I broke the hug and stared at him happily his lips widened a little but his smile wasn’t reaching his eyes. “Is anything the matter? You don’t seem excited to see me” I said, observing him from head to toe with my eyes.
Nicholas’s hands began to shake and that scared the shit out of me “Honey are you okay? You look pale? Why is your hand shaking?”
I looked at Nicholas’s eyes and I saw liquids spilling from his eyes “Honey are you crying? What is the problem? Talk to me?”
“I don’t want to lose you. I’m scared” Nicholas said, blinking his eyes rapidly to prevent further tears from spilling.
I thought people usually say men don’t cry but why was my husband crying? What could have happened at the office today?
I held his hand and walked to the closest couch in the living room. I sat on it gently and Nicholas followed suit. I stared at my husband who has been going through a lot these past few days.
He was always restless and barely had enough rest. He rested his head on my shoulder and I couldn’t help but smell the alcohol from his breath.
“Nicholas, have you been drinking?” I asked, shocked that he was drunk
“I don’t want to lose you. I don’t want to lose Macy and Mason. If Ethan wins the court case, Mason and Macy will be in his custody and you will have to be with them that means you will go to Ethan’s place, then you have to follow them and Ethan will snatch you from me”
I listened carefully to Nicholas as he poured out every thought that had been keeping him late at night. I knew he was bothered about something. I could sense his worry and fear
“I’m not going anywhere, honey. I’m here” I said assuredly
“You won’t be here forever. Ethan wants you back and I don’t stand a chance against him because Macy and Mason aren’t mine. The kids are still very little and can’t go to Ethan’s house all by themselves which means you will leave me here and go with the kids to Ethan’s house and once again, I will be an empty and lonely vessel” Nicholas uttered, his low voice laced with sadness
Tears gathered in my eyes as I stared at the man who was passing through a lot because of me. Nicholas was right. If Ethan sues us and then wins the case, he will request that the kids come to his place and that means I will have to go too.
The fact that I had two months left to live made this even more heartbreaking. I wanted to spend a lot of time with Nicholas. I wanted to create unforgettable memories with him but it seemed like life had other plans for me.
I finally found a man who loves me so much. He loved Mason and Macy like they were his own and I come to the terms that I can’t live a long life to enjoy all these. It was so heart-wrenching.
If only a miracle can just happen. If only I can live a little longer and watch my kids grow up. If only I could have more time with Nicholas and give him a child of his own but the universe has its plan for me.