AS'

oo. The irony burned. I was so lost in thought that I didn't notice someone behind me until a hand touched my back. I flinched sharply and turned around. Vanessa. "What were you thinking about?" she asked angrily. "I've been calling you, Lucas. You didn't answer until I touched you." "I just saw the doctor," I said quietly. Her eyes narrowed. "And?" "My wife collapsed from shock," I said. "But she's okay now." I hesitated. "She's three months pregnant." Her face changed instantly-from shock to fury. "So that's it?" she snapped. "Now there are two pregnant women in your life." Her voice dropped. "What about me, Lucas? What about my pregnancy?" My chest tightened. "What happens to me now?" she continued bitterly. "What happens to the plans we made? Don't forget-you married her because I agreed. Because of her father's properties. That inheritance was supposed to secure our future." Hearing it out loud felt disgusting. "Vanessa," I said slowly, "we've been together for a long time. I won't deny that. But along the way, something changed." She laughed bitterly. "Changed because she's pregnant?" "No," I replied firmly. "Changed because I finally saw the truth. My wife doesn't deserve this betrayal. She is humble. She trusted me with everything she had. She is the kind of woman every man prays for." Vanessa's eyes filled with rage. "So now you're choosing her?" she shouted. "Because she's carrying your child?" "I'm choosing to stop hurting her," I said, m