Caroline used to always wait for him on the couch. The second Aiden stepped through the door,
she’d rush to come over.
But now the house was completely silent–not even the lights were on.
A bad feeling crept into Aiden’s chest.
He quickly set the cake aside and flipped on the lights, searching room by room for any sign of her.
“Caroline? Where are you? Don’t scare me. I know I messed up today.”
“Babe, just come out, okay? Something important came up today. Let me explain everything.”
His voice echoed through the empty house. Aiden pulled out his phone and called Caroline.
“Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently switched off. Please try again later.”
He refused to give up, calling several more times. But always getting the same automated response.
Returning to the study, he noticed a box sitting on the coffee table.
Aiden rushed over, then froze when he saw divorce papers next to it.
Divorce papers? Whose divorce papers?
With trembling hands, he opened the document and saw his and Caroline’s names.
How was this possible? When had they gotten divorced?
Aiden thought back over recent events. That document? The one he’d signed in a hurry without
reading?
Panic seized him. He couldn’t understand why Caroline would want a divorce.
His attention was drawn to the box beside the papers.
Aiden thought maybe this was all just a prank–Caroline’s way of surprising him with a gift.
00:17
Done Playing My Uncle–Hubby’s Forbidden Backup Doll
6.2%
Chapter 9
He opened the box. And in that instant, his pupils dilated in shock as his mind went blank.
Inside was the medical record of the miscarriage.
Aiden’s legs gave out and he collapsed to his knees.
This was his child. His and Caroline’s baby.
He could no longer contain his emotions and clutched the box, sobbing uncontrollably.
The memory of when Caroline first found out she was pregnant flashed before him.
“Aiden, guess what?” Caroline had stood on her tiptoes, covering his eyes from behind.
“What’s this surprise, babe?” Aiden had played along, letting her guide him to the living room.
“Ta–da! I’m pregnant!”
She’d handed him the ultrasound picture.
Aiden had hugged her excitedly. “We’re having our little one. I’m going to be a dad!”
He reached out and pressed his fingers to the file, as if he could still feel the heartbeat that had once
lived inside her.
His joy back then was real. His excitement for the child’s arrival was real.
Over the past few months, he and Caroline had filled the nursery with everything their little one
would need.
Aiden couldn’t understand why Caroline would do something so heartless. How could she be cruel
enough to terminate a five–month pregnancy just to leave him?
“Why? Why would you leave me?”
Just then, the doorbell rang.
After Aiden didn’t answer, Elise entered using the keypad.
“How did you get in?” he demanded.
Elise paused, surprised by his tone. “The code is still the same one we used when we were together.”
00:17
Done Playing My Uncle Hubby’s Forbidden Backup Doll
6.4%
Chapter 9
Aiden said nothing as Elise walked over to him.
“Aiden, what’s wrong?”
His face was dark with grief and he didn’t respond.
Elise caught sight of the document on the coffee table and screamed.
“Shut up!” Aiden snapped.
Elise immediately covered her mouth.
Looking down, she averted her eyes, “Aiden, Caroline…”
Before she could finish, Aiden cut her off.
“Get out.”
Elise clutched her purse tightly. “Aiden, I just came to check on you.”
But he spoke as if he hadn’t heard her. “GET THE FUCK OUT!”
00:18
