No Love Blooms Where You Walk

Chapter 7

After finishing our coffee, night had already fallen. Jack drove me home, his laughter and occasional witty remarks making me feel more at ease with each passing mile.

Before long, the car pulled up in front of my house. Jack stepped out and opened the door for me, then walked me up to the front door. He turned slightly, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, and asked softly, "Don't you want to invite me in for a drink?"

Before I could answer, a familiar voice broke the quiet, sending a chill down my spine. "Rachel Mace, don't forget you're still a married woman."

I froze, slowly turning to see Alexander standing there in the dim streetlight. His face looked especially grim, his eyes weary and filled with a mix of anxiety and something I couldn't quite place.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "You go ahead, Jack. Thanks for today," I said, keeping my tone neutral. Jack exchanged a glance between us, a flicker of concern in his eyes, but he nodded and walked back to his car.

I had no intention of inviting Alexander inside, but of course, he didn't wait for an invitation. He barged in, sneering as he spoke. "Rachel Mace, you seem to be living just fine without me."

I couldn't help but laugh bitterly. "Alexander Steele, you're looking for me? Isn't Emily your wife? Go home and take care of her. While you're at it, sign the divorce papers."

At this, his face turned ashen. He snapped back angrily, "What nonsense are you talking about?! Rachel, you know damn well that you're the one and only Mrs. Steele. Now, come home with me."

Before I could respond, he reached out, trying to grab me. I wrenched myself away, struggling to break free. In the chaos, I stumbled and hit the corner of the sofa, a sharp pain shooting through my abdomen. The suddenness of it was enough to bring back a memory I'd buried deep within me.

Alexander's eyes widened in panic. He rushed forward, steadying me. "Rachel, are you okay? Does it hurt? Is your stomach alright?"

I shoved him away with all the strength I could muster, disgust flooding through me. "Don't touch me! Get away from me!" My voice trembled, filled with a mix of anger and pain.

"Alexander Steele," I hissed, my breath catching, "When we first got married, I was pregnant. And it was that time I bumped into the sofa going downstairs with you, that I lost the baby. Now I get it, you made me lose the baby on purpose! You wanted me to miscarry so Emily could have your child, didn't you? You did this to me so I'd never be able to have children!"

His face froze, eyes wide with shock. Silence hung between us, suffocating.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally seemed to snap out of it. He stammered, his voice full of panic. "No, Rachel, I didn't do it on purpose, I swear. You have to believe me. All these years, even without kids, haven't we been happy together?"

I could barely hold back my rage. His words, his lies, were all I could focus on. The years of betrayal, the secrets, everything came rushing forward. My voice cracked, but I spoke through clenched teeth, "You're still lying to me."

Tears stung my eyes as I took in the desperation in his expression, but there was no sympathy left in me. The floodgates opened, and I slapped him across the face as hard as I could.

"Get out!" I shouted, the words tasting like poison. "I never want to see you again!"

For a moment, he stood there, his eyes flickering with pain and regret. But in the end, he turned slowly and left, giving me the space I needed to finally breathe again.