The Second Wife by Melinda Mulera (book club reads .txt) 📗

We all walked into the house and sat on the couch as Linda further argued with Hazel about his lack of thankfulness that he had her in his life while I stared at his face, the way his eyes moved and his body language.

Something about him was off.

"So, Hazel, what happened at the meeting?" I asked only to feel his muscles stiffen under my palm on his hand and I knew I asked something he wanted to ignore. But I had to know.

"I needed to tell you anyway." He sighed as he glanced towards me. "When I got there, I first met my mo- Mrs Bronze, she looked concerned at first, but later told me it was for the best that I disappear from their family. She emphasized the point of how I was holding all of then down and the mockery and disgrace I put them through of being a prostitute's son. There after I met Tina, she didn't say much, she only said she was glad it had to end. Avery on the other hand even offered a million to have me sign and not back out like I always did in the past. He wanted our brotherhood to finally meet it's end where he can reclaim his spot as the youngest Bronze and heir to the Golden Hotel. So when I saw Mr Bronze Senior, he turned away, couldn't even look at me as I signed the papers, he didn't say much except saying he could finally be at peace." He chuckled to himself before sighing out. "Is this the price you pay to have a family? Feeling completely abandoned?"

"Bronze wasn't a good surname anyway, noe you get to choose a surname and start your generation there." Linda said from her spot as she grinned. "You'll start s family with Iris and me."

"You always know what to say...." He sighed out with a small smile. "What was it you wanted to tell me?" He suddenly glanced at me as he asked. "About you and Avery?"

"Partially yes." I nodded slowly and sighed out shakily, wondering if he would love the idea. "But most importantly......" I asked and he nodded slowly as he watched me intensively. "Well uh... I have something to show you." I said as I stood up and walked over to my bag hanging from a hook by the arc. I pulled out a small wrapped box and turned to him. "I got you a gift." I smiled awkwardly as I handed it to him. He stared at me for a moment, almost looking worried. "Open it."

"Is this good or bad?" He asked as he held up the box.

"It depends on how you take it." I smiled softly and he nodded as he slowly unwrapped the box. I clenched onto my dress as he got to the box in no time. He carefully lifted the lid and I felt my heart drop into my stomach at that moment.

He paused for a second, almost motionless as his eyes fixed on the test result.

He probably hates the idea.... His silence was intimidating.

"Really?" He asked as he glanced at me with wide eyes. "You're not lying right?"

"No." I shook my head as I bit my lower lip in nervousness. "Are you... Mad?"

"No... Why would I be?" He asked as he reached his hand up to my cheek. "You... You got me by surprise.... You're not lying right? You're not playing around... Right?"

"I'm not." I shook my head and he bit onto his lower lip as he struggled not to smile.

"Fvck... Iris if you're lying... I'll get a heart attack..." He whispered as his tears soaked his eyes. "Is this true?"

"Yeah..." I nodded and he suddenly wrapped his arms around me, hugging me to him.

"I have nothing to say..." He chuckled slowly but sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. "I'm going to be a dad...."

Oh uh....

"There's a problem... Hazel." Linda sighed out as she glared at me, forcing my eyes to drop to the ground. "She slept with Avery as well. There might be a slim chance it's his too."

"Fvck." Hazel hissed out and stood up so suddenly. "Fvck!"

"Hazel I'm so-"

"It's fine...." He sighed out shakily as he paced around the room. Looking like he would throw a tantrum any moment. "We'll... We'll just not tell him. I don't fvcking care if it's his, you can't involve him! I'll... I'll even love the baby. We don't even need to check right? We can just get married!" He burst out saying as he suddenly rushed over and held onto my shoulders, squeezing them slightly. "Please.... Don't tell him."

"I'm also agreeing to you, Hazel!" Linda exclaimed as she clasped her hands together and smiled. "Avery isn't a good man for her, he even slept with other women right after her!"

"He mentioned he didn't have feelings." I bat my eyes quickly as I sighed out and smiled when Hazel gave me a confused worried glance.

"You don't need to know if he likes you, you have me, right?" He asked as he sat beside me and caressed my thighs. "I love you, Iris."

"I didn't say I needed him, Hazel." I chuckled nervously as I stared at his pleading eyes. "I just felt bad that I did that, behind your back. I shouldn't have and I'm sorry."

"I forgive you. Just don't involve him further." He smiled slightly as I nodded and sighed, reaching my hand up to my stomach.

"I guess I'll be a mother soon... Without expecting it." I chuckled almost painfully, knowing I was probably forcing Hazel into making a division like this out of the blue. Instead of comforting him about his disownment, I was telling him news of me cheating and getting pregnant.