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Chapter 5

Angela's POV

I made my way into the café and let my eyes scan the room until I saw the girls. Rose was here too. My heart sank.

“Hey!” I greeted. The four girls rose and engulfed me in a tight hug. I sat between Emilia and Anne, Rose on the opposite side to me and Jaclyn abreast Anne. I adored my friends...well Rose was a special case. I didn’t hate her but I knew her. She was known for her allure and men worshiped the ground she walked on. Honestly, I didn’t know why but perhaps that was just my hurt pride considering that my husband was sleeping with her.

She was so...forward and not in a good way. She flirted openly with married men; she had no problem making a fool of herself in front of people, hell this woman had no shame! She claimed to be my friend yet she was having sex with MY husband! And she never let me forget it. I knew the recommended route was to end communication with her, but I couldn't. I simply didn't know how to.

I could feel the anger consuming me. I immediately took up the glass of water on the table and sipped.

“So how is Brad?” She asked and the nerve was hit.

“I don’t know. But you should, didn’t you see him recently?” I retorted and I felt Emilia grab hold of my hand, a silent reminder that she would always support me. After all, isn’t that the role of a best friend?

“He’s your husband how should I know how he’s doing?” she smiled slyly and I wanted to scratch that smile off her pretty little face. Perhaps I might even improve her.

My grip tightened on Emilia’s. “Well you disgusting little whore, your sleeping with him aren’t you?” The rest of the girls eyed us carefully now.

“Now, now Angela, don’t get all mad just because your own husband doesn’t want you.” She cooed and I snapped. I rose from the chair, the screeching sound scrapping the floor in a cry of anguish; I ignored the attention the entire café gave to us. I picked up Emilia’s cup of coffee. I knew it wouldn’t be hot but just warm enough. Before they had a chance to understand my intentions I emptied the contents on Rose, her hair matted to her skull her designer clothes ruined and I was satisfied...for now.

She screamed at the heated contact of the drink and rose from her chair, her eyes in fury!

Oh yeah welcome to my life bitch! My mind whispered. If anyone had a right to be angry it would be Emilia, her precious coffee was lost on garbage!

I saw she was moving closer but Jaclyn held her back and she shot her a dark look. Immediately, I turned around and left before I did something she might regret.

I sat in the living room, I just got off the phone with my mother in law. She once again asked for Brad and I to come over this weekend. I grabbed the phone and dialed Brad’s cell. He answered on the second ring.

“What?” He barked into the phone.

I cursed under my breath. “Your mother called-“

“I can’t go.” He replied before I finished. He always knew where I was going with my conversations when I mentioned his mother. He never saw her and I was always left to give excuses.

“What should I tell her?”

“I don’t care just handle it.” he barked and the line went dead.

“Goodbye to you too asshole!” I muttered at the phone.

I looked at the time. Almost three. I gathered my things and I left. I pulled up in front a huge building, it had to be huge after all it housed hundreds of children.

I took the picnic basket out of the back seat and walked over to the building. Mrs. Smith greeted me lively and I made my way to meet Harvey. I was cheerfully greeted by all the children I passed. This was more my home than that house I shared with Brad.

I knocked on the wooden door and entered, he sat on his bed, his face buried in a book once more. Didn’t this kid know about fun? My heart ached once more.

“Hey there.” I smiled and walked over to the chair in the corner of the room. I sat down and smiled back at him.

“Hey.” He replied. “I wasn’t expecting to see you today.” He responded.

“I know, I just wanted to visit you. Thought you could use the company.” I smiled.

“I could always use the company. Kids here aren’t really accommodating.” He replied and my smile sank a bit. He was always so alone.

“Well, I brought something for you.” I handed the basket to him and he took it, he looked at me questioningly. “Cookies.” I smiled.

His eyes lit up. “Chocolate chip?” He asked

“Of course!” I Muttered.

“Thanks!” he replied.

“No problem! It’s nice to bake for someone who enjoys chocolate. Anyhow, I wanted to ask you something.”

He stared at me in clear encouragement to continue.

“Do you want to accompany me to my mother in laws on Saturday? You can stay the night over.” I asked and he frowned.

“I’ll have to study.” He replied.

“Come on, even you need a break from work.” I tried to persuade.

He stared off in contemplation, “Is your husband gonna be there?” he asked and I laughed.

“Absolutely not,” I responded.

“Good. I am not too fond of him sort of acts if the world revolves around his every action,” he replied honestly and I smiled. No one was ever fond of Brad, well expect women of course.

I set the table and laid out the food and waited. What time was it? Was he even coming home to dinner? I poured myself a glass of wine. Pretty soon one glass turned into much much more. I’d lost count.

Brad was still not home. I rose from the table and walked unsteadily, I glanced at the clock. It was half eight. Couldn’t he have some decency and at least call? My stomach knotted, was he with her?

I was about to load the dishes when I heard the front door open. Brad walked into the kitchen and sat at the table. I saw him study the bottle of wine and then I felt his gaze on me.

“Are you drunk?” he sounded amused. How dare he try to make conversation with me? I didn’t want to talk to him.

I sat at the table without saying a word. A normal, considerate person would apologize for being late, but not Brad.

I looked at him eating. I suddenly lost any appetite I might have had. I poured myself another glass of wine.

“You should slow down.” He eyed me seriously and I grew angry.

“Now you’re telling me how much I should drink? Next thing you’ll tell me I can’t leave the house without your permission!” I retorted.

“Don’t tempt me.” He responded his jaw tight.

I laughed humorously, the effect of the alcohol making me braver in my speech.

“What about children Brad? Will you deny me that too?” I asked, my eyes squinting to look at him.

“We are not having children, Angela.” His voice hard and decisive.

“Why not? You don’t want to give me a divorce and now I can’t have children? Why are you torturing me?” I demanded.

“I am not going to sleep with you, Angela.” He remarked and I burned. The humiliation from Rose’s words filling me. I know my husband didn’t want me and hell I didn’t want him either! But the way he said it bruised my self-esteem.

“I am not asking that. If I have a child it won’t be ours.” I stated.

He rose his eyebrows at me. “Then who do you suppose would be its father?” he snapped.

“An anonymous donor? I don’t know? I could also adopt.” I was pleading. I could hear it in my voice.

“Absolutely not. I am not allowing you to breed a child with some unknown man’s DNA, besides I don’t want children.” He was so cold.

“Well, I want children!” I rose from the chair unsteadily. “Allow me this one thing, please?”

“No.” his tone was authoritative and held an air of finality.

I walked closer to him, I looked down at him our eyes connecting, my voice low. “Why not? If you have a problem with the donor being anonymous I could find someone too...”

My speech was interrupted when he grabbed hold of my wrists. This grasp wasn’t particularly confining but the cuts on my arm screamed at the contact and I felt the tears clouding my eyes.

“Angela, I said no.” His voice was low and persuasive. I couldn’t speak, the pain shooting through my arm was too pronounced.

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