I chuckle. “I’m sure you could never be a pain in the arse.”
He nudges my arm with his. “You don’t believe me? Just watch.”
In that moment, I feel happier than I’ve been in a long time. Maybe it’s the thought that I finally have someone on my side. Someone who I know will be there. I just know this baby will be loved. The thought fills me with a sense of euphoria I have never felt before. I can’t ask for more than that.
Wanting to change the subject for the time being, I say, “Oh, I saw your sister in town. She actually caught me in Mother Care staring at baby clothes. I made some lame excuse that I was looking for a friend. I felt terrible lying to her. I don’t normally lie, but I couldn’t tell her until I had told you. That wouldn’t have been fair.”
He smiles. “Don’t worry. I’m sure she will understand. She likes you anyway.”
My posture perks up. “She does?”
He nods, rolling his eyes. “Yes. Her ‘spidey senses’ told her so. She said there was a warmth surrounding you. Truthfully, she wishes you and Sarah had never gotten such dumb taxi drivers who made the mistake of taking you to the wrong places. I was married to Sarah at the time, so I told her it was unfair to say that. Now I see how right she really was. She never once said I told you so, though, so at least that’s something. I just wish I had paid more attention. Maybe then I would have found out about her a long time ago.”
I shrug. “It is what it is. I’ve been blaming myself for stuff, too. But, at the end of the day, there are only two people to blame in all this. They knew what they were doing was wrong. They stood up there on our wedding days and took that oath. I kept my promises, and I’m sure you did, too.” I smile at him as he nods. “I feel like all of this is so upside down.” I chuckle.
Ethan frowns. “What makes you say that?”
“I’m divorcing my husband at the same time I’m pregnant with another man’s baby. How crazy is that? What makes it even more bizarre is that I’ve never cheated on my husband. I’ve never even looked at another man.” I sigh. “I wasn’t allowed to,” I say softly, looking down at my hands. “After a while, I suppose I got used to being submissive. He eventually wore me down so much that I was blinded by the world around me. All I was aware of was him.”
“Wow,” Ethan says, shaking his head. “I always thought Kyle was a bit of an arsehole, but I never knew just how much. I did often think that he never deserved you. You’ve always been so kind to us, always there whenever Sarah needed you. I think that dickhead took advantage of it.”
“What about you and Sarah?”
Clasping his hands together and leaning forward, resting his arms on this thighs, he sighs. “I went to see a solicitor a few days ago. I can’t be married to someone I don’t trust.”
I nod. “I feel exactly the same way.”
“You know, Judy badgered me before I married Sarah. She kept going on and on about a prenup.” He turns to me. “I have an inheritance from when my parents died. Our family is quite wealthy. Most of us are solicitors, bankers, or doctors. Judy was worried that if we ever divorced, Sarah would swindle me out of my inheritance. I told her not to be silly because it was out of the question. Sarah was going to be my wife and we loved each other. That very same night, I went to see Sarah and she was going crazy over this wedding dress. It cost eight thousand pounds.” I gasped. “I explained to her that it was too much. Her response was, ‘Don’t be silly. You’re rich. You can afford it. Besides, don’t you want to make sure your wife-to-be has the best day of her life?’ I tried to reason with her by saying some of that money would be best spent on the honeymoon or the house we were buying. She started crying, telling me I didn’t love her and would never understand what it’s like for a woman. She really laid on the guilt.”
He shakes his head. “Suffice it to say, I relented, but it got me thinking about what Judy said. In the end, I got my uncle to draw up a penup. One that would be fair for both of us. I hated doing it, but I’m glad I did. Sarah cried when I produced that, too, but she signed it…once I promised to buy her whatever she wanted for the wedding.” He laughs. “I think it was one of the most expensive weddings in history.”
I nod, remembering how lavish it was. The dress was stunning, the flowers huge and in full bloom. The cake was the size of my house, and the marquee was big enough to hold up to two thousand people. They had a five-course meal with champagne, and the servers looked as though they were dressed to attend a ball. It was way over the top, but I suppose that was Sarah all over.
“I could sell the house and take half the profits,” Ethan says, snapping me from my thoughts. “But I won’t do that to her. She can have the house. It’s all paid for. She’ll just have to find herself a job so she can pay the bills. If she sells it to downgrade, so be it. I just don’t want anything to do with that house anymore. It somehow feels...tainted.”
Looking around my living room, I shudder. “I see what you mean.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.”
I shake my head. “No, that’s okay. A part of me wants to keep the house because it was my first one. Like you, my inheritance went into this house. One day, I’ll probably sell. I just want to get this divorce over with.”
“Will you not have to sell it anyway?”
I shake my head. “My solicitor seems to think I’ll be able to keep it. He has all the paperwork from when we bought the place. If I have to sell the house, Kyle will have to sell his car. Most of the money that went into buying it was from my parents. I was the one to always deal with the financial side of things. I saved, Kyle spent. That was the way it was. If I asked him to slow down, he’d grumble and tell me I was nagging. After a while, I started to put some money aside the moment I got paid. We both agreed we would save for a baby. We made a promise to each other. I invested so much into the marriage, and for what?” I shrug.
“You can’t say that now. Maybe you had to marry Kyle to learn from it.” I smirk. “What?”
“You’re talking about fate.”
He clucks his tongue, rolling his eyes. “You and your fate.”
I nudge his shoulder. “Oh, come on. You said that if I got pregnant, it was meant to be. I’m not sure why we married such horrid people, but maybe you’re right. We were supposed to learn from it. Maybe this was where it was heading all along.”
He smirks. “With spouses who cheated on us with each other and you ending up pregnant with my baby?”
I start laughing. “When I told my solicitor that, he thought someone had set him up for a prank.”
He starts laughing with me. “I suppose it does sound like something from the Jeremy Kyle show.”
“That’s funny. I said exactly the same thing.”
“Did you?”
I nod. “Yep.”
When I think of something else, my laughter stops. “You know, sooner or later, Kyle and Sarah will find out about this. Do you think they’ll hold it against us?”
The sound of Ethan’s laughter stops at my question. “They could, but we’re the innocent party here. Everyone knew what the plan was. I have records of your visits. Nothing untoward happened. It was all done by the board.” He sighs. “Anyway, I don’t want you worrying about that. You said you want to keep the baby and be a mother?” I nod. “Well, this is supposed to be one of the happiest times of your life. I want you to hold onto that.”
I smile at him. “I will.”
Looking at his watch, he frowns. “Shit. I’ll be late for my next appointment if I don’t get going soon. I really want to stay, but...”
I place my hand on his knee. “I know. You have to get to work. It’s important. As you say, we have seven more months to sort everything out.”
He rubs his hands over his face and reluctantly gets up. “I suppose you’re right, but it somehow feels wrong to leave you so soon after finding out.” He spins toward me. “Hey, how about I take you to dinner tomorrow night to celebrate?”
I bite my lip, unsure. I know Kyle and I have separated, but I’m still legally married to him. Going out with Ethan, no matter how platonic, would look wrong to others.
As if sensing this, Ethan says, “Quite frankly, it has nothing to do with them, but if you feel uncomfortable, we’ll do it once the divorce is finalized. Either that, or I can take you to dinner in another town.”
“I would love to go to dinner with you, but I think I just need time. At least until the divorce is over. That’s if Kyle agrees to it. Something tells me he’s going to be extremely difficult.”
Walking toward me, he grabs my shoulders. “As I said, you’re not on your own in this. You have me. I will be there whenever you need me. It is my duty as a father. I will never let you down. I promise.”
Feeling the tears well again, I motion to the door. “You’d better leave before I start blubbering again.” We laugh as he walks toward it. He turns to me.
“If I don’t get to see you every day, can I at least call?”
I feel my face flush. It’s nice having someone in my life who cares so much. I know he’s only doing it for the baby, but I’ll take it while it lasts. “Of course. Call as much as you like.”
He walks out the door, smirking. “Oh, I think you’re going to regret saying that.” He winks as he strides away. “Sleep well tonight. Remember, call me anytime—day or night.”
“I will!” I shout, clasping my arms around my waist.
“Get inside or you’ll freeze to death. Doctor’s orders.”
Saluting him, I nod. “Yes, sir!” I wave as I close the door.
I check the time. A little after three. Kyle will be here in around three hours. I double bolt the door and secure all the windows.
You can’t ever be too secure.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Around six thirty, I hear the roaring of an engine, lights illuminating the dark walls. As they switch off, my stomach flips. I start shaking, but I have no idea why. He can’t get in. Not unless he breaks a window or something. As I hear his car door open and shut, my mouth dries and my heart starts thumping.
The doorbell rings, but I stay rooted to the sofa in the dark, hoping he’ll think I’m not in. A few seconds go by before he rings the doorbell again. “Come on, Alice. I know you’re here because your car is parked outside. Stop sitting in the dark and come open the door. I have my suitcase. Stop being stupid and let me in.” When I don’t respond, he bangs on the door, making me jump. “I told you if you didn’t let me in, I’d break the fucking door down. You know me, Alice. I’m a man of my word. Just let me in so we can talk like adults.”
“Go away!” I shout.
He bangs quickly three times. “This is my fucking house. You can’t tell me to go away. I live here. Now open the fucking door.” He kicks at it, making it shudder. I wonder just how secure that door really is.
Feeling even more frightened, I grab my phone, my thumb hovering over the numbers. “If you don’t go away, I’m calling the police.”
He kicks the door again. “Good! Then you’ll be forced to let me in. You can’t do this, Alice. You can’t keep me away from my own home. Now let…me…in!” He kicks it a few more times. With each one, I think the door will fly open.
Feeling I have no other option, I dial 999 and wait for the operator.
“Emergency. Which service?”
“I need the police to come around to my house. My ex-husband is outside, threatening to kick the door down.”
“Okay. What’s your name and address?” I rattle it off to her. “Just sit tight, Alice, and someone will be around shortly. If need be, lock yourself in the bathroom.”
“Okay. Thank you,” I answer in a shaky voice.
Just then, I hear a series of bangs. “Stop being a fucking bitch and open the fucking door!”
“Did you hear that?” I ask the operator, my breathing getting heavier. My heart feels like it’s going to explode out of my chest.
“Yes. I heard every word. Don’t worry, Alice. They’re on their way as we speak. Just a couple more minutes.”
He starts banging so hard, I think he’s going to get in. “I’m scared,” I squeak. I know Kyle can be a little hot-headed, but he’s becoming more and more unstable.
“I know, honey. I’ll stay on the phone with you, okay? Someone will be there soon. Don’t you worry.”
Suddenly, he bangs on the window, making me squeal. “I’m going to break this fucking window. I don’t care of the cost. Open the fucking door!”
“He’s threatening to break the window,” I wail, running around the sofa, crouching behind it.
“Are you standing away from the windows?”
“Yes,” I answer. “I’m crouching behind the sofa.”
“Alice!” he screams.
I want to tell him to go the fuck away, but I know that’s just going to antagonise him further. I’m tired of his shit already.
Silence fills the room, which makes me more nervous. Has he given up?
“What’s happening, Alice? Keep talking,” the operator says in a calm voice.
My hands start to shake. “I don’t know,” I whisper. “I think he’s—”
The window smashes.
I scream. “He smashed the window! He smashed it!”
“Alice... Alice, listen to me. Run into the bathroom and lock yourself in. The police are two minutes away.”
I hear Kyle ranting and screaming as I run into the bathroom, slam the door, and lock it. “Please hurry,” I plead, tears running down my face.
“They should be there any moment. Can you hear the sirens?”
Placing my ear to the door, I try to focus on any noise. There’s nothing at first, then I hear the faint sound of sirens. “They’re coming.” I breathe out an exhausted breath. “I can’t do this,” I sob into the phone.
“You can, Alice. Just hang in there. The police will help you.”
“Thank you,” I say shakily.
“No problem at all, honey.”
I hear shouting and screaming from outside, then silence.
“Alice?! Alice Armstrong?! It’s the police. You can come out now.”
“They’re in my house.”
The operator breathes out a sigh of relief. “Okay. You can open the door now.”
“What’s your name?”
“My name’s Elizabeth.”
“Thank you, Elizabeth. I really appreciate what you’ve done.”
“No problem at all. It’s my job.”
Hanging up, I tentatively open the door and find a policeman standing in the hallway. As soon as I see him, I rush into his arms. “It’s okay, Alice. You’re safe now. We’ve got him in the car.”
Feeling silly, I pull away. “Sorry. I was just so scared. I shouldn’t be hugging you.”
I catch him looking at my eye before he smiles. “That’s okay. I’d much rather have that than getting assaulted any day.” He looks around. “Is there somewhere we can go so I can ask you some questions?”
I nod, pointing. “Sure. How about the living room? I just need to get some tissue and I’ll be right back. Would you like a drink?”
He smiles. “No, but thanks for offering. Get yourself something, though. I’m sure you could use a drink after that.”
Rushing into the kitchen, I grab myself some tissues and a glass of water before heading into the living room. The door is open and there’s glass all over the floor. Outside, I can see the faint flashing lights, but I don’t dare go near the window to look outside. I don’t want to see him.
As I walk toward the police officer sitting on the sofa, my phone rings. “Sorry,” I say, motioning toward the phone. “I’ll get rid of whomever that is.”
The police officer raises his hands and nods, so I pick up the phone. “Hello?”
“Alice, are you okay? I saw a police car heading in your direction and it got me worried.”
“Hi, Ethan. Everything’s fine. Kyle showed up, so I had to call the police. They’re her
e now, so I’m okay.”
“I’m coming over.”
“No, it’s...” Hearing the phone disconnect, I hang up. I look toward the police officer. “That was a friend and neighbour. He saw the lights and got concerned. He says he’s coming over.”
“I heard you mention Ethan. What’s his surname?”
I sit down on the couch. “Connor. Dr. Connor. He’s married…was married to my best…ex-best friend.” I shake my head. “It’s complicated.”
Nodding, he flicks open his small notepad and gets his pen ready. “That man out there is your husband?”
“Ex-husband,” I correct. “Around three weeks ago, I found him in bed with my best friend...”
He raises his eyebrows. “The one who’s married to this Dr. Connor?”
I nod. “Yes. I asked Kyle to leave, so he did, but he’s become increasingly agitated over the weeks. Especially since he received the divorce papers a few days ago. He threatened he would do this. He said this was his house and he had a right.”
He looks up from his writing. “He will need to obtain a court order for that.”
“That’s what my solicitor told me. Besides, I couldn’t live with someone like that.”
Using his pen, he points at my eye. “Was he responsible for that?”
At first, I say nothing, then nod. “When my friend, Sally, was over for a visit, Dr. Connor came by to make sure I was okay. Kyle turned up and started accusing him of trying to steal me away from him. He hit Ethan and I tried to intervene. That’s when Kyle hit me.” As instructed by my solicitor, I don’t say how.
Shaking his head, he starts writing, then looks up. “Why didn’t you call the police at the time?”
I shrug. “I suppose I was in shock. I had kind of hoped he would leave me alone after that.”
The doorbell rings. “Alice, it’s Ethan.”
I start getting up when the police officer stops me. “I’ll answer for you.” As I nod, he walks to the door. However, when Ethan spots me, he runs over.
“Are you okay?” he asks, sitting beside me.
I nod. “Yes, I’m fine.”
“Did that arsehole hurt you?”