The Ex-Wife's Return: His Child, Her Reckoning

Ivanna Robinson

I stare at the paper in my hand, tears blurring my vision. The knot that's been lodged in my throat for two years finally loosens, and a sob breaks free.

"Is this... is this real?" I ask my friend, my own voice sounding distant and uncertain.

Viena watches me, her own eyes shining with emotion. She takes my hands in hers, her lips pressed into a tight, emotional smile as she nods.

"Yes, Ivy. You're pregnant."

It finally happened.

I throw my arms around my friend, the reality of it all crashing down on me. After trying for so long, the knowledge that I'm finally carrying a child-our child-is more than exciting. It's everything.

"Now I just have to plan the perfect surprise for Shane," I sigh, a thrill running through me. "If anyone's going to be happier about this than I am, it's him."

Viena nods in agreement.

"I'll help you. Shane deserves it."

I nod and push myself up from the bench where we were sitting, just outside the OB-GYN's office.

I tuck the envelope-the best news of my life-into my purse. As we head down the hall, I nearly walk right into Abigail Allen-my stepsister.

A grimace twists my lips before I can stop it. I quickly try to school my features, seeing she's with my mother-in-law-a far too common sight.

"Ivanna, darling, what a joy to see you. It's been a while since we've seen you. How have you been?" she asks, her smile as bright as it is fake.

And as she speaks, her sweet words dripping with cynicism, my eyes catch on the unmistakable swell of a baby bump beneath her dress. For a few seconds, I'm frozen in shock. I say nothing.

I hear my mother-in-law's voice.

"You're not the only one, Abbi, darling. My daughter-in-law isn't just good at staying away from me-she keeps my son away, too," she says in that saccharine, hypocritical tone she reserves just for me. Her eyes rake over me as if I were something disgusting she'd found on her shoe. "What are you doing here? Did you finally decide to get tested? To prove to Shane once and for all that there's no future with you?"

Bile rises in my throat. She always knows exactly where to stick the knife. And for years, she's been the one twisting it.

"And does Shane agree with you on that? Because, much to your disappointment, your son is completely in love with Ivanna. Whatever poison you try to feed him, it doesn't work."

It's Viena who speaks up, and I want to pinch her to shut her up.

I don't want a confrontation. Not today. Not when I'm this happy, and when I'll soon have the ultimate proof that this woman has always been wrong about me.

However, Aurora Robinson, my mother-in-law, doesn't look at my friend with malice, the way she usually does. Her eyes gleam with a wickedness that makes the hair on my arms stand up.

"Is that what you think?" she retorts, her gaze snapping back to me. "Then you must know everything, mustn't you?"

I frown. I have no idea what she's talking about, but I don't miss Abigail's sudden flinch.

"Aurora, no, please. You know what Shane made me promise. I can't betray him like this," she pleads, her voice so submissive, so full of feigned worry, that it leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

What the hell is going on?

I narrow my eyes at her.

"What do you have to do with my husband? He barely gives you the time of day."

Abigail's sudden, smug laugh is all the warning I need. Whatever she's about to say, I'm not going to like it.

"That's what you'd like to believe, isn't it? To save what's left of your marriage. I get it. I'd act possessive too if I couldn't give my man what he longs for. But deep down, you know you can't hold on to a man like Shane. He's fiery, relentless. Once he sets his mind on something, he sees it through. And I'm sorry to be the one to tell you, darling, but you were going to find out sooner or later."

She smiles triumphantly. "I'm pregnant with your husband's child. He asked me to give him an heir. It was a hard decision, of course, but... we've always had a certain chemistry. I couldn't say no."

"What did you just say?" I demand, my vision swimming with rage, my mind refusing to process her words.

I lunge forward, but Aurora steps between us.

"Don't you dare lay a hand on Abigail, or you'll find out what I'm capable of," she threatens. Over her shoulder, I can see the smug satisfaction on Abigail's face. "Do you finally understand what's happening? Shane had to find a mistress because the woman he married isn't woman enough to give him a child. Aren't you ashamed? And you're so stupid. You demand he distance himself from his own family-from the woman who should be by his side-only to find out like this, in the most humiliating way possible, that you will never be enough. Not for him. Not for the Robinson family."

"Shane wouldn't do that to me. You're lying." I shake my head, desperate.

Now it's Abigail's turn to raise an eyebrow.

"Why would I lie about something you can verify later?" she mocks.

I growl, shoving Aurora aside to face Abigail directly.

"I trust Shane. I know he wouldn't do this to me. You two have been trying to tear us apart for so long, you've finally resorted to cheap tricks like this. But just so you know, Abigail, it won't work," I assure her, my voice shaking with conviction.

The love Shane and I share is real. I know him. He would never be capable of this.

"You think throwing yourself at him wins you points? You said it yourself-he's relentless. And when he told you to stay away, it wasn't a suggestion. You feel powerful with Aurora backing you up? Shane himself can tell you how little that matters. But you're just a pathetic social climber, and even that word is too good for you."

Abigail's face flushes with rage. Before I can react, her hand flies out, the slap cracking across my cheek and snapping my head to the side. But through the stinging shock, I don't hesitate. I slap her right back, the sound echoing in the quiet hallway.

"Try that again, you bitch!" I shout.

Aurora lunges to defend Abigail, and Viena moves to my side.

"You've gone too far this time. I'm done keeping quiet. Shane is going to hear all about this. The masks are coming off, and you will be sorry."

Abigail suddenly cries out, her face twisting in pain as she doubles over with a groan.

Aurora's eyes burn into me before she rushes to her side.

"See what you've done? I told you you'd regret this! Shane will never forgive you for this, damn you!"

Blood begins to trickle down Abigail's legs, and I freeze.

Aurora sees it too and screams for help. Once medics have rushed Abigail away, Aurora whirls on me, her eyes stormy with rage, and lunges. I throw my arms up to shield myself. I can't bring myself to strike my husband's mother.

Viena throws herself between us.

"Abigail is carrying my grandchild. If she loses that baby, I swear, you will pay. You want proof that I'm not lying? That Shane is the father? Just go into that exam room. Read the document he signed a few days ago. When you see it, you'll finally understand just how little my son cares about you. You'll understand that you lost this fight before it even began."

She turns and walks away, leaving me trembling, staring into space. This has to be a nightmare.

Viena is in front of me, her mouth moving, but I can't hear a thing. She guides me to a chair, then disappears for a moment. When she returns, the look on her face makes my stomach drop.

She kneels before me, her expression a painful mix of fury, disappointment, and pity. It's all I need to see. It confirms the one thing I was terrified to admit to myself.

"I'm so sorry, Ivy. It's true. Shane is listed as the father on her medical chart. He confirmed it."