Chapter 3: Decisions

MIKE

My phone rang. I looked at it hoping it would be Shana, but it was Joseline. I declined the call again. It had only been two days since the horrific scene at the hospital. That moment replayed over and over in my head.

All I kept seeing was my wife's body shaking uncontrollably, blood turning the pure white sheets to pink and then dark red. It had been 3 years since I'd seen that much blood. But this was incomparable. Informing my wife about how far along my mistress was had sent her over board and caused her to miscarry our baby.

I'd never been so hurt in my life. Not only did I loose my child, I lost my wife as well. My life was over.

I hadn't seen Shana since I was escorted out of the hospital. After Shana got out of recovery her parents, sister Shania, and best friend Laci were waiting in the waiting room with me. They comforted me as the doctor came and said that my wife was resting but we indeed had lost the baby. Stress was the cause but her family didn't know that me and my foolery is what stressed her out.

After 15 years, Shana's family was my family and vice versa. But I knew regardless of how long we'd been together Shana always came first in their eyes.

We all sat crying as we knew this was a big blow for Shana. The nurse came out to inform us that Shana had waken up and called for her mom. Everyone was a bit surprised that it wasn't me. In that moment I knew how much my wife had loved me and put me first and I knew I messed up bad. My mother-in-law came out after 15 minutes her eyes were red with fury and it reminded me of how Shana looked at me.

"LEAVE!" my mother- in-law shouted in the waiting area, startling everyone. She looked as if she was gliding in a Spike Lee movie. I was stunned with fear before I felt a crack on my face. Blood gushed from my nose and my vision was blurry. When I caught my site my father-in-law had my mother-in-law pinned to the seat, everyone's eyes were on me.

Laci come up to me asking was I okay when my mother-in-law shouted, " Don't talk to that liar! That cheater! You broke my daughter's heart! You're the reason my grandbaby is gone!"

Before I knew it my sister in law was headed my way with her arm cocked back ready to lay a good one on me before Laci stepped in front of her.

The hospital security came rushing over heading to my in laws first. He spoke with my in laws for a second before coming to me. "Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to leave if you're not going to seek medical attention for your nose" he stated politely.

"I'm sorry" I muttered loudly before heading to the ER to get my broken nose looked at.

My phone beeped again taken me out of my daze. I looked down to see it was a message from Shana and my heart fluttered.

"My mom is coming to get some of my things. I should be moved completely out by the end of the month. " Nothing more...nothing less.

My heart sank as I launched the phone onto the other side of our sectional. What an asshole I'd been. I ruined my whole life making stupid decisions.

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SHANA

It had only been two weeks since my mom went and gotten my belongings from my home. I didn't expect her to get everything at once but she did, saying she didn't want me to hurt anymore than I already was. And she was right. Every time I felt my empty belly I hated Mike, which is a feeling I thought I'd never have.

She said he cried and begged the entire time. As bad as he hurt me, I felt sorry for my husband. But when I knew his mistress was going to have his baby in a few weeks, I hated him.

I lay in the bed aggravated by light peeping in from the dark curtains. I knew any minute my mom would either come in or send my sister to try and coerce me out of bed. I moved into the guest room downstairs with the attached bathroom, which means I never had to leave that room again since my sister bought me food that I barely ate.

As I knew, here came the door bursting open but only, it was my dad. He came in saying nothing moving swiftly, he slid the curtains open, exposing the morning sunlight. My face winced as the light stung my eyes. He grabbed the remote from the night stand and cut the tv on while turning back walking to the bathroom.

"Dad what are you doing" he was now flipping through my outfits in the closet. He grabbed a blue t shirt dress and threw it in the bed. "Get up and get dressed, the shower is awaiting you" he said sternly walking out the door.

I pondered over the thought of getting up. I didn't want to. If I got up that meant I'd have to face everything and I just couldn't deal with the thought. I started sobbing uncontrollably. My husband betrayed me in a way I couldn't fathom. And now, I was alone. No husband no baby, just me and my thoughts.

I hadn't realized that I'd been in the shower for over an hour, when I heard a knock at the door.

"Sweetie your breakfast is getting cold" I heard my mom's soothing voice. "Do you need me to come in?"

"I'm coming mom" I said trying to hold back the tears. I brushed my teeth before I dried my body off and applied my lotion. I looked at myself in the mirror and I looked like a zombie. I brushed my hair into top bun and went to the bed to get my dress. I slipped over my head and put on my sandals. This would be the first time I left this room in two weeks.

I closed the door slightly and walked down the hall to the kitchen where my family sat. Their eyes darted on me as I fixed myself a cup of coffee. "That's my girl" my dad said with a smile. I sat down on the bay window looking out at the beautiful lake sipping my coffee while the room fell silent. I looked at my family and smiled. The decision to leave my home and husband of 15 years was by far the hardest but I could never go back.

He made his decision and now I've made mine.