GETTING THE HEART OF THE CEO

Kyle was silent, with no expression on his face. He had no idea of the storm that was brewing with his wife and grandfather.

Catrina emerged from the bathroom, laid back on the examination table, and the doctor applied gel to her belly before activating the ultrasound machine.

“What you hear is the sound of the heartbeat,” pointing to the screen, the doctor explained. “This point here is the baby, confirmed by the tests. It’s four weeks and two days into gestation.”

“See, my love, there’s our baby. It’s beautiful to know that soon, they’ll be with us.”

Kyle looked at the screen, and his heart raced. He couldn’t believe he would soon be a father. It should be the best news of his life, but right now, it’s the worst his mind can process. Inside, he thought, ‘Forgive me, baby, for not feeling excitement about your arrival.’

The doctor took a soft paper roll and passed it over Catrina’s belly, indicating.

“You can get changed, ma’am. While I note down the instructions and the vitamins you need to take.”

Catrina sat in front of the doctor and asked.

“Doctor! During this stage of pregnancy, is it good for the baby to feel the warmth of its dad and spend time with him?”

Kyle became uneasy; he wanted to kill Catrina.

“It’s highly recommended that the father be present at all stages of pregnancy. They sense their mother’s moods. For now, I suggest consuming fruits, nutrient-rich foods, taking the prescribed medications, avoiding any physical exertion. The first three months of pregnancy are the most delicate; any health issue can affect the fetus’s development.”

“Thank you, doctor. As parents, we will ensure the baby’s well-being.”

Lindsey was keeping an eye on the front room’s door. When she felt it open, she estimated an hour had passed. She opened her room door, entered Kyle’s room, packed all her things, and moved back to her old room. Then, she took her purse, silently headed to her car, and left the mansion.

Arriving at the workshop, she saw her friend and hugged her.

“Oh God, what happened? Don’t tell me those vermin did something to you?”

She stepped back, approached a chair, and sat down.

“No, friend, this time it wasn’t my family; it was Kyle. My happiness lasted only a few months.”

Janna was surprised to hear what she said, sat next to her, and holding her hands, asked.

“Kyle? Tell me, friend, why are you like this? Look at those dark circles. Pour your heart out to me.”

“Yesterday, Catrina showed up at the house, said she’s pregnant with Kyle’s child, conceived when he traveled to Paris.”

Janna’s mouth dropped open; she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“He cheated on you? But he loves you; you can see it in his eyes. That’s a bombshell.”

“Yes, friend. As you hear, he’ll soon be a dad. I’ve wondered if they never really ended their relationship. She’s the one he loves, and I’m just an extra in his life.”

“Are you sure he’s the father of that child?”

“When she confessed about the pregnancy, his face showed confusion. He never denied it. I was fooled like a fool.”

“Oh my God! It’s hard for me to believe what you’re telling me. He turned out to be a disaster, my dear. Look at how broken you are.”

“I’m terrified, friend. Kyle never loved me, and I, like a fool, fell for him. The worst part is that this weekend, we celebrated our first year of marriage like a fairy tale, and yesterday, I had to wake up to the worst reality.”

Janna asked with regret.

“What are you going to do? Why stay there? I’ll help you pack your things.”

“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I’ve been thinking all night. I don’t know if it’s the best decision, but I’m going to talk to Luan to help me with a lawyer and prepare for a divorce. I’ll leave signed documents. Also, since my dad doesn’t know anything, I’ll go and find my grandmother.”

“Do you think he’ll agree to a divorce so easily?”

“Why wouldn’t he? He’s going to have a new family, and there’s enough evidence of his infidelity.”

“True, you’re right. I’m here for whatever you need. I’ll support you in whatever decision you make.”

“Thank you, friend. Let’s call Luan.”

After discussing with her friends and sorting out matters at the workshop, Lindsey returned home in the evening. She opened the door to enter and couldn’t process the surprise her husband had for her.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Love, I…”

Catrina didn’t let him finish speaking; she was approaching at that moment.

“Love, what time is dinner served? The baby is hungry. Hi, Lin.” she flashed a victorious smile.

Lindsey wanted the ground to swallow her, taking deep breaths to avoid crying in front of them.

“For you, Lindsey, Kyle, I can’t believe what I’m seeing. At least you could have waited until I left your house.”

“Love, we need to talk, forgive me, I know I’ve caused you a lot of pain. She had nowhere to go, and the pregnancy is delicate. Shall we go to the office to talk?”

“We have nothing to talk about; everything is clear. Or do you plan on having your two women under the same roof? How shameless you are, a weak man,” she didn’t want to stay there, almost running, she quickly went to her room.

Kyle turned to Catrina like a demon and shouted.

“I told you to stay in the room. I want you away from my wife; you’re here until I find you an apartment to move out,” he turned his back and followed his wife.

Upon reaching the room, he knocked on the door several times without getting a response. Desperately, he whispered with a dejected voice.

“Love! Please, open the door! We need to talk. I won’t move from here until we talk,” he leaned against the door, an hour later, he knocked again. “Love, if you don’t open the door, I’ll get the spare key and enter without your permission.”

Kyle, not getting a response, turned around, and with giant steps, went to his office. He searched in a drawer for the keys, returned to the room, opened the door, didn’t see anyone, got terrified, and entered the bathroom. His heart stopped when he saw her sitting on the floor under the shower, sobbing, with a plain look of sadness. Without thinking, he sat beside her, getting his clothes wet with the artificial rain.

“Forgive me, please. It hurts my soul to see you like this. Don’t cry for me; I don’t deserve your tears. I love you, Lin, and your suffering is torture for my heart. I know I disappointed you as a man,” with anguish, he swallowed and continued. “When I went to Paris, I met her at the fashion event, we had a few drinks, and I got drunk. I don’t remember what happened with her. Today we went to confirm what you already know; it seems I’m going to be a dad. I’m trapped, love. She has anemia and a complicated pregnancy. Since she lived in Paris, she has nowhere to stay here, no family, and she’s weak. I couldn’t leave her alone in a hotel. Tomorrow I’ll find her an apartment and someone to take care of her during the pregnancy. You won’t see her in our house anymore.”

Lindsey got up as best she could, closed the shower, grabbed a towel, wrapped it around her body, went to the closet, found pajamas, put them on, then sat in front of the mirror to brush her hair.