Chapter 10
So, Baillie was perfectly content to keep her a secret from me.
I couldn’t help but find it a little funny!
“Baillie, what was your first reaction when you found out she was pregnant?”%
He practically fled the scene–such a rare sight considering how calm and composed he’d been since turning thirty.
Not that he needed to answer, I already knew it was joy–the unfiltered, almost naïve joy of becoming a father for the first time.
People really are strange. With your own wife, you’re careful about every precaution. With someone on the side, though, you dance on the edge, chasing that rush.
There were still five days left in the club’s retreat. During that time, Baillie kept his distance, trailing after Nina and me, never too close, never too far.
I didn’t pay him any mind. My only concem was looking after Nina and myself.
When we went hiking, I’d leave Nina in the care of the club leader’s wife. Later, coming down the mountain, I’d spot Baillie, arms full of toys and snacks, doing his best to make Nina smile.
But Nina wanted nothing to do with him. The moment she saw me, her eyes lit up. She’d dash over, wrap her arms around my legs, and beg for treats with a mischievous grin
Baillie would follow, quiet and forlar.
I scooped Nine up and walked right past him.8
“Baillie, you should go home. Jenifer and your son are waiting for you aren’t they?”
But Baillie stubbornly refused to leave. He kept opening his phone, showing me photos.
“Veronica, look–this is the new ginkgo tree I planted at home! I even made a wooden plaque for it!”
He zoomed in on the plaque.
When I saw what was written, I stopped and stared, saying nothing.
After a long silence, Baillie seemed to collapse inward, as if all the energy had drained from his body. “Veronica, I regret it so much. If only I’d listened to you back then–if only we’d had a child together.”
He looked at Nina and me with longing in his eyes.
“If that had happened… maybe we’d be happy now, wouldn’t we?!!
I said nothing, just stepped around him and kept walking.
Half a month later, I returned with Nina to finalize the divorce with Baillie
He looked even more worn down than before.”
When he saw me, he managed a bitter, self–deprecating smile and muttered something under his breath.
It was then I learned everything that had happened in those two weeks.
Jenifer had lost the baby–the same night Baillie threw her out.!!
A few days ago, Baillie also found out that Aster–the son he’d raised for seven years–shared no blood with him.
No wonder he was crushed. Seven years of fatherhood, gone in a single blow!!
“This is my punishment, I suppose.”
Baillie forced a smile, glancing at ine as if he wanted to say more
“Veronica… is there any way we could
I cut him off
“Let’s just get this over with
Once the divorce papers were in my hands, I turned to Nina and grinned
“Conie on! I’m in a fantastic mood today, Let’s go have a feast“!! Behind us, Baille seemed to say something, but I didn’t bother listening That night, I received notice of a massive asset transfer.X
I accepted it, no questions asked. There was no need to talk to Baillie.!!
