The Husband Who Kneeled for Divorce

1

My husband Rhett Moore had been unfaithful-or perhaps, more accurately, he had slipped back into old habits.

The glow of his phone screen betrayed him, lighting up with a message that laid out their plans to meet tomorrow.

Anger and unease churned inside me, but beneath it all was a deeper, colder ache. I was pregnant.

Our child was growing inside me, and yet, here he was, planning to meet his ex. That bitch had calculated it all. Rhett would divorce me, and the baby would be erased from the equation.

But from the moment he betrayed me, things stopped going according to their plan.

We had been married for two years, and for those two years, Rhett had been nothing short of devoted. He had been attentive, caring, the kind of husband you'd think only existed in movies.

That day was his birthday. I had left work early, picked up all his favorite ingredients, and spent hours preparing a special dinner.

When he walked through the door, I handed him the gift I'd carefully chosen, ready to celebrate.

But Rhett seemed distracted, disinterested.

He barely touched the food, pushing it around his plate before setting his fork down. His eyes kept darting to his phone.

I tried to lighten the mood, joking, "Are you waiting for a message from some pretty lady?"

He flinched, avoiding my gaze.

"It's just work stuff," he muttered. "I'm going to take a shower."

He glanced at his phone one last time, disappointment flickering across his face, before disappearing into the bathroom.

I sat there, confused and hurt. I tidied up the dishes, placing them in the dishwasher.

My efforts-the dinner, the gift, the celebration-had been met with indifference.

Back in the living room, I flipped through TV channels, trying to distract myself.

Then his phone buzzed.

Curiosity got the better of me. I picked it up, typed in the passcode- the one he'd said was just a random number he'd never bothered to change- and unlocked it.

There it was a single message from his ex.

I immediately recognized the avatar, and Rhett had even pinned it to the top.

"Let's meet at the Hilton tomorrow."

The Hilton. Where we had spent our honeymoon.

Suddenly, everything made sense.

His distractedness, his distance, the way he'd been lost in thought lately.

It was true what they said. When someone started to cheat, the signs were there.

To everyone else, our marriage had been perfect.

We were the couple who had it all-love, understanding, a life built together.

But now, standing in the living room with his phone in my hand, I saw the cracks.

I wanted to scream. To burst into the bathroom and demand answers. But as I reached for the door, I caught my reflection in the glass. Something was different.

My hand instinctively went to my stomach.

I wasn't just responsible for myself anymore. There was a life growing inside me!

I turned off the phone, placed it back on the table, and forced myself to maintain the composure.

Rhett and I had been married for two years. We were expecting a child.

Surely, even if his ex was back in the picture, he would do the right thing for our family.

I repeated this to myself as I retreated to the bedroom, my mind a whirlwind of emotions.

1.

Rhett and I had met on a blind date.

I had just come out of an eight-year relationship-one that ended when I discovered my ex had been cheating.

We had been planning our wedding, for God's sake.

The dress had been picked, the invitations sent.

His cheating shattered me. I ended it as gracefully as I could, then locked myself away and cried for days.

It had taken me a long time to heal. Eventually, I agreed to a blind date, more out of obligation than hope.

That was how and when I met Rhett.

At the time, I had thought, "Why not? One date won't hurt."

He told me he had a dream girl at our first date. To be honest, his outspokenness left a good impression on me.

But I didn't mind him having someone in his heart; in fact, I felt relieved.

I, too, had someone lingering in my heart. Despite the clean break, I couldn't deny that eight years of shared history wasn't something I could easily erase.

Rhett seemed to have some affection for me as well. After that successful blind date, he started asking me out frequently, and before I knew it, we were married.

From the day we met to the day we married, only a month had passed. But since our families knew each other well, they fully supported the union.

And so, two people with unresolved feelings from their pasts came together.

Rhett and I were a classic case of love after marriage. After the wedding, he treated me exceptionally well-taking over household chores, taking care of me. All of these showed me his endless consideration.

Gradually, I began to accept him wholeheartedly.

Our relationship progressed naturally, and soon, we were expecting a child.

The arrival of this little life erased any lingering doubts I had.

I was two months pregnant when Rhett's ex came back into the picture.

If it had been my ex who returned, I would've firmly shut the door on him.

But Rhett had been so good to me-it didn't feel like an act. I believed he genuinely cared for me.

Besides, we now had a child binding us together. I trusted Rhett would make the right choice, just as I would.

For the sake of our baby, I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.

I heard the door open, and in the darkness, Rhett's footsteps approached. "Nicole, why aren't you asleep yet?"

His voice carried a note of surprise. I glanced at my phone-it was already 11.30 PM.

I had been lost in thought, trying to steady my emotions, and hadn't realized how late it was. But what about Rhett? What had he been doing all this time?

While I sat alone in the bedroom, had he been chatting with his ex?

What had they talked about?

I had no way of knowing. All I knew was that Rhett, who had been so attentive since I became pregnant, hadn't even noticed I hadn't washed up before going to bed.

In the faint light from the window, I thought I saw a smile on his face as he slipped under the covers.

I placed a hand on my belly and whispered, "Baby, Mommy will figure this out. I won't act impulsively."

2.

I saw Rhett and Julia Scott together, their affection unmistakable.

Yes, I had followed him.

On the first day of tailing him, I watched as Rhett and Julia had lunch together. Julia tossed aside the luxury items Rhett had carefully chosen, and he bent down, apologizing repeatedly.

I hadn't slept well the night before, so when Rhett got up early that Saturday morning, I was instantly awake.

He never used to wake up this early on weekends.

I lay in bed, listening to the sounds of him getting ready -the water running, the buzz of the electric razor.

Through the slightly open door, the faint sound of water reached my ears.

Rhett returned to the bedroom after shaving, and I quickly closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep.

I heard the closet door open, followed by the rustling of clothes as he spent an unusually long time picking out an outfit.

He was so focused that he didn't notice me watching him.

When I finally heard the front door close, I got up, grabbed an outfit I rarely wore, and followed him.

Rhett looked happier than I'd seen him in a long time. He stopped at a flower shop first.

I waited outside, and when he emerged empty-handed, I felt a flicker of relief.

But then I saw the smile on his face, and my heart sank.

I trailed him as he wandered through luxury stores, carrying different gift boxes.

Every time a sales assistant spoke to him, he laughed-a genuine, hearty laugh that I hadn't heard in a while.

Then, he'd spend lavishly, buying a multitude of items.

According to my research, he had bought plenty of handbags, cosmetics, necklaces, and earrings.

In two years of marriage, Rhett had never bought me anything like this.

He shopped for hours, from morning until noon, meticulously selecting items for his dream girl.

Finally, he glanced at his watch and left the mall, driving the car we had chosen together to the hotel where we'd spent our honeymoon.

At the hotel entrance, someone handed him a bouquet of vibrant red roses. The fiery color seemed to burn my eyes.

The hotel was grand, known for its excellent accommodations and exquisite dining.

For some reason, Rhett and Julia didn't book a private room. Instead, they sat at a corner table by the window.

I found a spot near a flower bed, not far from them, my heart aching with every beat.

Rhett smiled like a child as he handed Julia the roses, but she set them aside with indifference.

Julia was stunning-her makeup flawless, her features delicate.

She was the kind of woman many men would idolize as their "dream girl."

Rhett seemed oblivious to her coldness, gently showing her the gifts he'd spent the morning picking out. However, Julia just impatiently threw the gift on the ground and then complained something.

Watching him, I felt a sharp pang of betrayal.

I watched as Julia turned her face away, sitting stiffly in her chair without even sparing Rhett a glance.

From a hidden corner, I pulled out my phone and captured the sordid scene unfolding before me.

I stumbled home, my mind in a fog. The house, once filled with sweet memories of Rhett and me, now felt hollow and empty-just like my heart.

A cold, lifeless chill seeped into my bones. Shivering, I grabbed the remote and turned on the TV, desperate for some distraction.

But even the TV seemed to mock me. But Rhett-had he ever truly loved me?

It was playing a scene from a soap opera where the heroine discovered her husband's betrayal.

The irony wasn't lost on me. At least the heroine's husband had loved her. But what about Rhett? Had he ever loved me?

If you'd asked me that question before yesterday, I would've nodded without hesitation.

Rhett had been so good to me-how could he not love me?

But now, I wasn't so sure. Real love, it seemed, was what Rhett had for Julia-tolerant of her pretenses, accepting of her whims, no matter how unreasonable.

I broke down, tears streaming down my face as a deep, icy chill settled over me.

I had been betrayed again.

I wanted a divorce.

3.

Rhett had promised another woman he would marry her.

Rhett made that vow to Julia while I was right there, unseen but present.

My heart felt like it had been scraped raw, the pain unbearable.

I turned off the TV and sat on the sofa, my hand instinctively resting on my belly.

This little life, only two months old, had already made its presence known through my nausea, weakness, and a strange, complex happiness I had come to cherish.

I didn't know how long I sat there before Rhett finally returned.

The sound of the door unlocking snapped me out of my thoughts.

Rhett walked in, his face clouded with irritation. When he saw me, he paused, surprised.

"Nicole, why aren't you asleep yet?"

I looked up, the city lights outside the window casting a glow over the room.

I forced a smile at Rhett. Forcing a smile, I asked, "Honey, where did you go today? Why are you back so late? You didn't answer my calls."

"It was a company gathering," he said quickly. "We all had to hand in our phones to enjoy the night. Sorry, Nicole, I didn't tell you in advance. Were you worried?"

I nodded.

Of course, I was worried.

I was worried about how he'd explain himself, worried Julia had taken him from me, worried our baby would grow up without a father.

But the absurd part was how quickly he'd come up with an excuse. Did he think about how to handle me while he was with Julia?

If he did, should I be grateful I still mattered to him?

If not, should I be relieved to know his past attentiveness was all an act?

My heart ached again.

"Nicole, what's wrong? You look so pale. Is the baby giving you trouble again?"

I pressed my lips together, saying nothing, my eyes fixed on his worried face.

Strangely, his concern didn't seem fake.

Could someone really live so shamelessly, deceiving two people at once?

I couldn't make sense of it.

"Nicole, look," he said, holding up the gift boxes I'd seen Julia throw to the ground earlier. "I bought these for you and the baby. They're rewards for you both."

He opened them one by one, but I felt no joy-only a deep, aching sadness.

"I'm not feeling well. I'm going to bed," I said, fleeing the living room as if trying to escape something.

As I closed the bedroom door, I saw Rhett sitting in the shadows, lighting a cigarette.

I lingered by the window for a long time before getting up to use the bathroom.

Rhett hadn't come to bed, so I assumed he was asleep on the sofa. I opened the door quietly, not wanting to disturb him.

But then I heard his voice, low and urgent. "Julia, I promise I'll divorce her. Don't worry... There's a reason for all this. Besides, Nicole's pregnant... I know, I know. I'll do it soon. I promise I'll marry you."

My blood ran cold.

Silently, I retreated to the bedroom, lying down and wrapping the blanket tightly around me.

But no matter how tightly I held on, I couldn't shake the chill.

At that moment, I knew I had to get a divorce.

4.

It wasn't just about the divorce. Rhett and I were different. He came from a wealthy family, and a divorce wouldn't affect him much. But I had a child on the way, and I couldn't afford to be left without financial security.

For my baby's sake, I needed Rhett to pay-dearly.

With these thoughts swirling in my mind, I drifted into a restless sleep.

At dawn, I woke with a start, instinctively reaching for the other side of the bed. It was cold and empty.

I knew I couldn't delay any longer. I had to take action.

I quickly got dressed, washed up, and hurried out the door.

I knew Rhett's mother liked me. She had been the one to push for our marriage, and she'd always treated me well.

I also knew Rhett was deeply respectful of his parents, especially his mom Kate.

So, I invited her to stay with us for a few days, claiming that Rhett and I missed her.

She smiled warmly, insisting she didn't want to intrude on our "young love," but I sweet-talked her into coming.

When we arrived home, Rhett was just getting up from the sofa, unshaven and looking haggard.

I made sure to open the door loudly and chat animatedly with his mother, hoping to wake him.

As expected, his mother frowned the moment she saw him.

"Why haven't you shaved? You look so scruffy. It's not presentable."

Rhett gave an awkward smile but still came over to help with her luggage.

"Mom, what brings you here?"

"Nicole missed me and invited me to stay for a few days. Do you have a problem with that?"

Rhett glanced at me, surprised, but quickly masked it with a warm smile. He handed us slippers and carried the luggage to the guest room.

"How could I have a problem? Even if Nicole didn't miss you, you're always welcome to stay."

He took his mother's arm and led her inside, his demeanor shifting back to the attentive, dutiful son I once knew. With her around, Rhett became the man he used to be-attentive, caring, and present.

But I knew this couldn't last.

After a few days, his mother, satisfied that our relationship seemed unchanged, made an excuse to return home to her husband.

The day she left, Rhett disappeared without a word.

I intentionally took a different route that day, hoping to cross paths with them.

Sure enough, I found Rhett and Julia together, their closeness unmistakable. A cold smile formed in my heart as I approached.

"Honey, what are you doing here?" I asked, pretending not to recognize Julia. I feigned surprise, adding, "Who's this?"

Julia gave me a look I couldn't quite decipher, while Rhett's expression turned awkward.

"Nicole, you should go home first. I have some work matters to discuss with my colleague," he said.

I stared into his eyes, my voice steady. "No. I want to stay with you."

"Can't I join you?" I pressed.

His eyes flickered with panic, then anger, and finally a hint of helplessness.

"Come on, Nicole. Go home first," he said.

"What if I say no?" I shot back.

We argued, and in the end, I left-because Rhett slapped me.

In front of Julia, his so-called "true love," he struck me-his wife of two years.

It was the first time he'd ever laid a hand on me.

Thinking of all the moments we'd shared, I couldn't hold back my tears. I turned and walked away, my heart breaking with every step.

5.

I wandered aimlessly through the streets, not knowing where I was going, and somehow ended up back at my doorstep.

I chuckled bitterly to myself and unlocked the door with my fingerprint.

Knowing I wasn't in the right state of mind, I took leave from work. My boss, perhaps sympathetic due to my pregnancy, agreed without hesitation.

I spent my days alone at home, flipping through old photos and reminiscing about the life Rhett and I had built together.

Saying I wasn't sad would've been a lie. Just like with my ex, the pain was real.

I tried to handle things calmly and rationally, but I couldn't deceive my heart. The sadness was overwhelming, and it only intensified my pregnancy nausea. I retched violently every day, feeling as if my insides were being torn apart.

For three whole days, Rhett didn't come home.

I didn't know where he was staying, whether he was working, or what he was doing if he wasn't.

I just sat in the empty house, waiting-though I didn't know what I was waiting for.

Then, Julia got my number-probably from Rhett's phone.

She sent me a photo of Rhett lying shirtless on a bed, followed by a taunting emoji.

Due to this stimulation, I retched violently, my stomach churning.

"Get a divorce," she wrote. "Dragging this out isn't good for anyone."

A wave of fury surged through me. My fingers gripped the phone so tightly my knuckles turned white.

Even if I were to divorce Rhett, it wasn't her place to dictate my actions.