~Jacqueline’s POV~
I couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. They slowly ran down my cheek. Rex muttered something and slapped his hand on his face. He looked away. He whispered something to his lover. She raised her head and caught a glimpse at me at the door. She turned towards the desk.
Rex slowly stood on his feet. He adjusted his trousers. His lover did the same, though she avoided eye contact. Her hands were at her chest. Probably did the buttons of her shirt. There was an awkward silence in the office.
“Leave us, Paula.” He said plainly, with his gaze at me.
Paula quickly picked up something from the desk and headed for the door. She had hung her head until she was abreast of me. She flashed a glance at me. I scowled at her. She left the office and closed the door behind her. Neither of us said anything after the bang.
I glanced at the closed door, then Rex. He looked at me plainly. His eyes were narrowed, had his arms at akimbo and his lips, pursed. He sneered at me.
“What are you doing?” He asked icily. His voice seemed harsh and unsettling. Like I had interrupted an unfinished job.
“Is this what you do when you leave me at home?” I asked sharply, disappointed and heartbroken by the betrayal.
“That hasn’t answered the question I asked.” He retorted.
“Neither has mine.” I shot back at him.
Rex didn’t reply and rolled his eyes.
“You need to control your emotions. Don’t get ahead of yourself. It might affect the baby.” He said plainly.
“So now you care about the baby?” I scoffed,
“You’re certainly a hypocrite.”
Rex looked at me coldly, unaffected by the words. It felt like talking to a rock. Instead of he being hurt, I was the only one feeling both pain.
“So what he said was true? The women, the intimacies and now…” I said tearfully. I wiped off the tears on my face with my palms.
“And now, I finally saw it with my eyes. Of all the places you had your wh*res, it had to be your be in your office?”
“Which would you have preferred? In my bed?” He asked sarcastically.
“Even when being caught in the act, you’re still proud. Don’t you’ve a little conscience in you? Even if it’s a grain.” I replied curtly.
“Well, I’m sorry Cupcake. I had the urge to.” He answered bluntly.
His words broke me even more. Was his heart made of titanium? The tears ran down. This time at an increase speed.
“You really are shameless.” I said bitterly.
“Ugh! Save those pathetic lines. Shameless, disgusting and whatever the next one in your head might be. I did what I had to. Can’t simply wait an eternity to let you satisfy while you carry that thing in you. I’ve needs that have to be met.” He replied coolly.
“Oh, really? Your shameless act is a need? Wow! Best joke of the year. I guess being pregnant with your child and having to deal with your nonchalant attitude towards it isn’t a need. Probably a mere headline in a comedy section.” I spat.
“I gave you an option to get rid of it. But you choose to be stubborn. So deal with it.” He told me off.
That was the straw to break my hope in this marriage.
“Besides, why are you here anyway? I’m guessing Liam was the one who told you—.” He assumed.
Okay. That does it.
“You really need to stop putting the blame on others. I came on my own. I had an ultrasound and thought of showing you what it is in me. Maybe you might have a change of thought.” I expressed ruefully, hurt by his attitude.
“You had an ultrasound?” He said plainly.
I sniffed and wiped off the tears. My nose was slightly runny because of that outburst.
“Not like you cared.” I muttered.
“Can I see?” He asked coldly.
I looked at him confusingly. Wasn’t he the one who—? Did he suddenly have a change of heart? Rex stretched out his hand.
“Can I see it?” He requested coolly.
I hesitated. I kept pondering how he changed within a minute. Maybe it’s for the best? I let out a sigh and gave him the picture. Rex collected it. He looked at the ultrasound and flashed a glance at it. He had narrowed his eyes while he looked at it. It made me curious. What was he thinking of?
Rip!
My gaze was at his hands. My mouth slightly gaped.
Rip!
Rex tore the ultrasound in halves. He squeezed the pieces and threw them on the floor. My eyes were welled up with tears again.
“It’s clear to say that I don’t.” He said bluntly.
My eyes were at the squeezed photograph. I looked at him, seething. I quickly headed for the door and left his office. I banged it as hard as I could. I didn’t care if the sound would break the glass walls. Rex had already revealed his true colours towards me and his child.
~Rex’s POV~
I drove through the lane speedily. There were two cars abreast of me. The drivers seemed determined that to win. But were they are determined as me. I drifted, making a turn on a sharp bend. Unfortunately, the tyres ran underneath mud and got stuck.
What the f—?
The two cars had driven past me. They were neck and neck against each other. I looked the windscreen. They were close to the finish line. I stepped on the accelerator pedal. Mud came up the windows and splattered all over the car. It was stuck.
Damn!
I heard the cheers. Either of the cars won the race. I slapped my palm against the steering wheel. Two years streak broken in a night. I got out of the car and slammed the door. The slam caused the wing mirror to fall. I was too pissed to care about a broken car part.
I walked all the way to the finish. I stood beside the stand. I raked my fingers through my hair. The victory driver was being celebrated by his fans. They used to be my fans.
“Rex!”
I turned to the side when I heard my name. Jasper ran towards me. He stopped and panted a little when he got close.
“What happened? You lost the race.” He asked.
“Yeah. You don’t have to remind me.” I said irritably, sneering at the winner.
“Someone isn’t in a good mood.” He pointed out.
“How can I be when years worth of trying to stay on top changed within few minutes. If it wasn’t that stupid car—. Ugh!” I expressed, annoyed by the defeat.
“That’s the least of my problems anyways.”
I had my eyes at the winner. He was getting most of the attention that was meant to be mine.
“I’ll have the mechanic come and fix the car immediately. I’ll give him a call.” He offered, taking out his phone from his pocket.
“Don’t bother. It’s no use to anymore.” I declined.
Jasper had dialled the number and disconnected the call. He looked at me askance. He furrowed his brow confusingly.
“Okay. What’s really wrong? Your mood, I guess, has nothing to do with you losing the race. Does it?” He asked.
I flashed a glance at him.
“Not really.” I muttered.
“Hm! I figured. So spill the tea. What’s the really cause of your temper?” He followed up.
I hesitated for a few minutes.
“Cupcake came to the office today.” I started off.
“Cupcake, as in your wife?” He asked.
“Yes. Anyways, she came and caught me with Paula.” I revealed.
“Oh! I didn’t see that coming.” He said airily,
“You see the reason I haven’t decided to tied the knot yet. I know yours was due to circumstances but I can’t do what you did. Imagine how many ladies I would lose.”
I rolled my eyes. Why I didn’t I choose a less perfect idiot as my friend?
“Well, I suggest you go and beg her. Just come up with something believable to her. Tell her it was just a mistake and won’t happen again. It’s as simple as that.” He suggested.
I guess it’s too late to use that pathetic apology. Cupcake definitely hates me.
“Don’t worry, mate. Everything is going to be fine. At least, I’m learning a thing or two from your marriage. That way I don’t make the same mistakes as you have.” Jasper said jovially as he patted my shoulder.
Great!