Page 37 of Resolution
“Wow.” Aubrey’s eyes turn wistful. “That’s amazing. I’ve always wanted to have kids of my own someday. But that’s not in the cards for me.”
How sad. Aubrey would make a great mom. The kids seem to love her. “I’m sorry.”
“Oh, don’t be. It’s not like I can’t get artificially inseminated, should I choose to.”
What the hell is she talking about? Why would she need to do that? Better yet, why is she telling us this?
The puzzled look on my face must make her want to explain further. “Well. You know…” She looks in the direction that Devin left to play with the kids. “With Devin’s vasectomy and all. If he and I stay together, I’ll have to either accept that I won’t have kids of my own, adopt, or since Devin refuses to get it reversed, I could always go to a sperm bank.” She giggles a little at the end.Just how much has she had to drink?
I feel Enzo tense beside me. I can’t look in his direction. I’m shocked by the news of Devin’s vasectomy. I try to respond, but my thoughts get stuck in my head. When did he do this?
Without any prompting, Aubrey continues, not realizing she’s just dropped a bomb on me. “I can’t see him wanting any more than three kids, since that’s the reason he got the vasectomy in the first place. Right after Frankie was born.”
What. The. Fuck. “Devin’s had a vasectomy?” I mumble to myself.
Enzo must hear. He suddenly stands from the stool he was perched on and holds out his hand to me. He glances at Aubrey. “Would you excuse us for a second?”
Aubrey says something, but I have no idea what it is. I feel myself being tugged up the stairs to my bedroom. My mind keeps replaying the last few moments on a loop. I can’t even think of how to respond. I’m so stunned Devin’s had a vasectomy.Wait. Right after Frankie was born?Holy fucking shit! All those months of us trying to get pregnant. Month after month of having my period. Those tears I shed when I started my cycle each month.
As we reach the top of the stairs, I feel like it’s getting harder to breathe. My chest tightens and my eyes sting from the prick of tears attempting to fall. What the actual fuck? Devin had a fucking vasectomy years ago and didn’t bother to tell me? My vision blurs completely and suddenly, all I see is red.
15
Enzo
I didn’t hearthat correctly. There’s no fucking way the fucker got a vasectomy years ago and didn’t tell Sam. Who the fuck does that shit to his wife? Or at least, let her be a part of the decision. I can’t help but think of when the condom broke in her office. She heartbreakingly explained why she thought she couldn’t have kids. It’s evident she’d been devastated each and every fucking month. Hell, I’d been decimated for the sheer thought of her loss.
What a cock-sucking bastard. I knew he was selfish. Who the fuck cheats on a woman as amazing as Samantha? Since I’ve met him, I can’t say Devin and I have been close or anything, but we seem to have a mutual respect for one another. We get along for the sake of the kids. Now, I just want to punch his fucking throat out.
The look on her face when the realization hit.I’d murder him right now and spread his body across the continents, if I knew it wouldn’t hurt the kids or Samantha even more. I had to get her out of that fucking kitchen as fast as possible. There’s no way I would let her implode, or worse, explode in front of Maddie and her friends.
Christ. What the fuck do I say to her? I can tell she’s working herself up. I’ve never seen her mad, but if I were in her shoes, I’d blow a gasket. I’m not even the one who had to deal with having a period month after month, thinking something was wrong with me. Fucking bastard isn’t even a strong enough word to describe my loathing for Devin at this moment.
As soon as we’re in the privacy of our bedroom, I shut the door, quickly pull her to me, and kiss the top of her head. “It’s okay, beautiful. I’m right here. There’s nothing you can say that will make me love you any less. Get it off your chest and let’s deal with this together.” I wrap my arms around her tightly and feel her body taking large breaths, as if to calm herself.
“I… I… I can’t even…” she mumbles as she pulls me tighter.
“Shhh, beautiful. It’s all right. I’m right here. Just say what’s on your mind and let’s get it out there.”
Her voice is calm, but there’s an eeriness when it’s barely heard above a whisper. “Enzo. He kept this from me, for years. He mentioned wanting to get one, once. But he never told me he went through with it. I’d told him I wasn’t sure if I wanted more kids. I wanted to wait and see how things went with Frankie before any final decisions were made. When she was about a year old, I realized I wanted a little brother or sister for her. Maddie’s so much older than Dec, it’s like she was an only child. There’s always an odd man out.”
I don’t say anything but hold her closer.
“Devin started working more trips out of town to help cover the costs of the new baby. Holy shit!” she suddenly exclaims, as if she has had a new thought. “You don’t think he started having affairs around that time, do you?” Samantha’s fists ball up and I can tell she’s getting angrier by the second.
“I have no idea. But anyone who’d cheat on you is a fool, Samantha. You’re the most amazing woman in this world. I’d be so lost without you,” I offer as I pull her close once again.
Samantha holds me for a long while. Eventually, her breathing calms, her body loosens, and her mold to me intensifies somehow. Thousands of thoughts run through my mind. None of which are worth repeating, as they would only fuel the fire of discontent.
“Was I a fool for not knowing?” Samantha’s voice is weak and breaks at the end, causing my heart to constrict. I fucking hate seeing her in pain. Devin’s lucky she’s my priority right now. Her self-doubt rips me apart and who the hell knows what I’d do if he and I were alone right now.
“This is on him, Samantha,” I grit out as I pull her closer. What a bastard. Now she’s doubting herself.
“Why wouldn’t he tell me?” she asks, but I’m sure it’s for her benefit, not mine. I sure as hell don’t have the answer. How the hell is this her fault?
“We’ll get to the bottom of this once Maddie’s friends leave,” I suggest, not wanting her to cause a scene.
I seriously can’t wait to hear what Devin’s fucking excuse will be when he’s confronted. I hope she finds the anger she started with, rather than this self-deprecation.Seriously, who the fuck gets a vasectomy and doesn’t tell his wife?Maybe he had something to hide or didn’t want to risk anyone else getting pregnant. Fuck, Devin is such a douche. After a long moment, she takes in a deep breath. I feel her pull back to look me in the eye. Her expression surprises me as she says, “No, I don’t think that’s necessary.”
