ManyWriters

In London, everyone's aware of Patrick McGrath's deep devotion to his spouse, treating her as his everything.
Behind closed doors, however, he keeps an 18-year-old around, claiming she's a mirror of his wife from years past. He maintains it's just his way of holding onto true love's essence.
He's even decreed that no one should mention anything that might distress his wife.
One day, elated about her pregnancy, she hurried to his workplace to share the news. To her shock, there was the young girl, bearing an uncanny likeness to her, perched on Patrick's lap, offering him wine directly from her mouth.
The girl turned to Patrick and inquired, "Am I merely her stand-in?"
Patrick pulled her close and responded, "You're incomparable to her."
That very day, his wife scheduled an abortion and reached out to her aunt living overseas.
"Aunt, I've reached a decision. I'm moving to New Zealand."

A Wife's Twisted Awakening

When Frank reacted, a scuffle erupted between him and Patrick.


I hurried over and urged them to cease, but neither was ready to yield. They kept trading punches until both their faces were marked with bruises.


Eventually, they halted their brawl when exhaustion overtook them. I shot Patrick a stern look before approaching Frank to assess his wounds.


Fortunately, the injuries weren't critical, but they still required proper care.


I was about to escort him to a nearby medical facility when Patrick intervened. His eyes reflected a mix of pain and bitterness, "Lora, you abandoned your spouse for a stranger?"


Rather than becoming angry, I chuckled.


"Patrick, when you and Christy were intimate, did you consider yourself my husband?"


"You're truly the most absurd man I've encountered! I won't waste breath on someone like you. Once the divorce is finalized, we'll have no connection!"


I attempted to leave, but he seized my arm.


Chapter 12