Their eyes locked, sparks flying.]
In that moment, I watched the husband who once adored me transform into aplete stranger. While I crouched in the shadows like a cockroach, watching someone else’s happiness. Pathetically watching the father of my child instinctively protect
another woman.
Casey beside me started to rush forward, but I held him back with everything I had.[]
After a long pause, I dialed Leonel’s number.]
From my distance, I watched his phone light up.]
He nced at it. The ringtone yed once, then again.]]
He just stared at it. Never answered.]]
Amari saw “Wifey” on the caller ID and pouted.[]
“You promised today was all about me. No distractions–not even her–or I’m never speaking to you again.“][]
Leonel chuckled and tossed his phone into a cup full of beer, raising an eyebrow:[]
“Happy now, princess?”
When Amari finally nodded, Leonel swept her up and spun her around overhead.]]
Her delighted screams carried on the ocean breeze.
By the time I lowered my phone from recording, tears had soaked through my mask.[]
Fuck you, Leonel Hartman! <i>So </i>this is all I ever meant to you? Hope you’re ready to fucking burn in hell![]
Eventually they got tired and sat around talking.]
Amari’s voice drifted over on the wind:[]
“Actually, on Leo’s wedding night, I got wasted and said I wanted to marry some random guy just to get it over with. He freaked out, grabbed Kendall’s wedding dress, and came to find me.“[]
“Isn’t that crazy? We yed house like when we were kids, exchanging vows under the stars.“[]
My heart seized.]
I remembered that custom wedding dress I’d searched forever to find. Leonel said it got stained and lost at the dry cleaner’s.[]
Amari kept going with augh: “I joked that since we’d exchanged vows, it was real. Said I’d never get married, but I wanted kids without ruining my body. Guess what this idiot did?“[]
<b>Pure </b>Tanz Then <b>Why’s </b>THE BABY <b>11157 </b><b>Ligby </b><b>Tour </b>Cels<b>, </b>Sammates!
88.1%
Chapter <b>4 </b>
Leonel kept drinking and smiling, not stopping her.[]
The crowd egged Amari on until she raised her chin proudly:[]
“He actually took it seriously! Dragged me to get IVF done!“[]
She winked at Leonel to take over.[]
“So Leo, what happened to that baby?“]
Leonel drained his drink, eyes dark and distant.[]
“The baby in Kendall’s belly right now? That’s mine and Amari’s IVF baby.“[]
*BOOM-*]]
Something exploded in my skull. Everything went white.[]
Casey was cursing “MOTHERFUCKER” beside me while Leonel lookedpletely unbothered.[]
I clutched my stomach. Like it could sense my agony, the baby started kicking frantically.[]
All I felt was the bitter irony.[]
From the moment we started trying, Leonel told me his sperm count was low and IVF would give us better odds.[]
Countless days and nights, I took pills until I was nauseous, my belly covered in purple needle marks.[]
The day it took, he pressed his face to my stomach and whispered:[]
“Hey baby, Daddy’s gonna make sure you and Mommy are the happiest people in the world.“[]
Turns out he was never talking to me.[]
Amari’s voice floated over again, dripping with smugness:]
“Good thing Leo was smart about it. Look at Kendall now–all bloated and gross from pregnancy. I’d rather die than let my body get wrecked like that.“[]
I couldn’t listen anymore. Started <i>to </i>leave.[]
Suddenly a massive wave hit, rocking the yacht violently.[]
Amari had been standing at the edge, too caught up in her story.[]
She screamed as she was thrown overboard.]]
Leonel didn’t hesitate for a second–grabbed a life ring and dove in, swimming hard toward her.]
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