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

Hazel remained where he was, at the door as he stared down at Avery whom seemed to have lost his manly side in this moment. He seemed smaller than his usual pride. He seemed defeated when he hadn't even fought. He didn't look like the Avery I knew before.

This one looked pained.

"Is trying to get Iris from me a way to hurt me?" Hazel aside after a long while. His voice breathy and weak. "Is that revenge too?"

"No." I heard Avery say beside me. "I met her before you. She works at the hotel I am staying at, I grew fond of her the days I met her before you even knew she existed. You're the one taking her from me." He exclaimed before looking away, seeming annoyed. "Iris means a lot to me. I wanted to leave you two, but I just can't."

"She means a lot to me too." Hazel pointed out as I glanced at him. Hardly locking eyes with him when all Avery and him were doing was glaring at each other. "She's friends with Linda who's also my friend. She told me about Iris so I knew her before I met her. I even liked her before I met her. You didn't show interest in her, more like abuse than interest, so I assumed you wouldn't mind if I had her. Even after you got your way with her, you went ahead and slept with another woman, a girl actually, not long after Iris. I find it hard to believe you have feelings for her. More like lust." Hazel hissed and I glanced towards Avery who remained quiet, staring at one spot on the floor as he twisted his fingers while biting his lower lip.

Hazel was right. Why would he sleep with someone if he liked me?

"I really like Iris." Avery said, his voice cracking a bit. "I didn't think so at first but, since I got close enough to have her, she always makes my heart skip a beat every time I see her. She feels different. Not in perverted terms but... I mean I feel different around her. So I think that's what it feels like to like someone... Right?" He asked as he glanced up at me then Hazel. "I only had another woman after her because I didn't want to admit I feel this strongly for Iris. I wanted to brush it off. I tried to drink myself out of it but I kept thinking about her. So when I met that girl, I thought I'd think of her after, but even then, I only thought about Iris. Sometimes I couldn't even sleep knowing I can't have the one person that makes me feel different." He took in a sharp breath and sighed out shakily. "I feel like an idiot right now. Talking such rubbish. Sh*t I don't even sound like myself." He chuckled as he brushed his hand on his eyes and laughed at himself. "Can't believe I even like the one girl that always insults me." He smiled slightly as he glanced at me, making my heart jolt a bit before I sighed and smiled back.

"You're married." Hazel suddenly said and we both glanced at him. "At least you have a wife. Leave Iris to me."

"I told you I can't." Avery said, his voice stronger then before. "Not until I have no choice."

"Iris and I will marry soon. Just stop trying." Hazel said out as he threw his hands in the air.

"If it's my child, I won't let you marry her." Avery defended, sounding like his old self now. "She'll belong to me."

"I think it's clear who the father really is." Hazel hissed.

"It is, and it's me." Avery hissed back and I sighed out.

The atmosphere shifted from a sad emotional aura to a tense angered layer.

But Avery had said his side of the story now.

What about Hazel?

He's hardly saying anything.

"Hazel, what about you and your beloved girlfriend?" I asked and he posed as he glanced at me. "Avery said mostly about after he arrived, but what were you feeling with her. Do you miss her?"