Husband is Lovelorn: I am Not the One He Wants to Break Up with

I caught Jack Harper, my husband, sobbing under the covers in the middle of the night.

My guess was he was nursing a serious case of heartbreak.

He'd clammed up big time lately.

He even ditched his phone and isn't burning the midnight oil like before.

Out of the blue, he'd been laying it on thick with the sweet talk.

It looked like someone really did a number on him.

I sighed and kept typing on my phone.

Then I hit up my online peeps. "How do you comfort a married dude who's just been dumped?"

1

Digging for the dirt, I checked his rarelyupdated social feed.

And boom, I stumbled on a fresh post.

Jack Harper (Dear Hubby): "Guess it was just a pipe dream, a mixed blessing."

With a heartbreaking butterfly pic.

2

The post disappeared in a heartbeat.

Bet he realized he hadn't blocked me.

What's that tell ya?

The man still cared, he didn't want me tossing and turning all night.

He just couldn't bear it.

He's still got a corner of his heart for me.

Man, I'm head over heels for him.

3

That's what I would say if I am really like that.

4

The sobbing had kinda stopped.

It seemed like he'd pulled himself together.

I handed him a tissue, my voice soft, "Babe, spill the beans. What's got you down?"

He gave me the cold shoulder but took the tissue.

Then the crying and sobbing that had stopped rang up again.

Nailed it.

I touched a nerve.

He melted down.

5

If he kept crying the blues, there was no way we were getting any shuteye tonight.

I sighed, bit the bullet, and hugged him from behind.

"Next time, pick someone who's not hitched, or better yet, a widow."

Took a breath, then added, "If it really comes to that."

6

Jack shot me a look, and choked back his words.

He ended up saying nothing, just turned his back and lay down.

What can I do?

Well, witness just another broken heart in the city tonight.

7

Jack's really fallen for her, hook, line, and sinker.

It was rare to see Mr. Perfect come undone, snoozing in, tie askew.

Sporting bags were under his eyes and a scruffy beard.

He was a hot mess.

And he even skipped his beloved breakfast.

Just ghosted out the door.

"Watch yourself out there, honey. Waitin' on you."

I was scared that he would go out like in that status and get caught in some car accident.

Then I...

I'll be left holding the bag—and his massive inheritance, crying so hard I can't even put down my smile.

"Psst."

I scanned the café to make sure we were in the clear.

There was no one listening.

"Jack Harper's stepping out!"

Maddie, my bestie, coolly put down her iced coffee, "Seen any proof?"

"It's legit this time!" I was dead serious.

I added, "I trust my gut—woman's intuition!"

Before I could even finish, she cut in, "Enough already."

"You've been harping on about Jack cheating like thirtyeight times this month."

9

"If it's the real deal, why not just ditch him?"

"Thought you said cheating's a dealbreaker?"

I bit my lip, kind of stuck, "But he's got that charm, you know?"

"And he drops a cool million on me every month..."

"Can't throw away good money over pride, right?"

10

Maddie glanced at me, then quickly looked away.

"It wasn't always like this with you two."

"You used to be all over each other, everyone thought you were the perfect match."

From prom to our wedding, it's been a solid decade.

From a crummy studio to our swanky villa now.

Back in our rough days, we didn't even have a place to call home.

Young Jack, all freshfaced and eager, full of youthful zest, promised, "Ella, it's gonna be just you and me, till the end."

"Once I'm rolling in it, you'll never have to struggle again."

"All my dough? It's yours to blow!"

...

I had to snap myself out of the memory lane.

I was lost in my thoughts when I stared at the coffee.

Once, just because I mentioned liking it, he'd scour the city to fetch it for me.

Even on the coldest days, whatever he brought back was always piping hot.

I took a sip, same old taste.

Same old sweet taste.

Sweet enough to make your teeth ache.

I was just zoning out with my coffee.

Maddie watched me, treading lightly.

She was scared to hit a sore spot.

"Thinking..."

"...maybe having a few pretty guys over tonight might be a better idea."

Maddie: "...Okay then."

12

Bummer.

Before getting around to inviting the guys, I barely walked in when—wham—body checked hard.

I hit the deck, and got soaked in booze.

Then, out of nowhere, killer cramps ran up my stomach.

"Oh, sorry, miss... totally didn't mean to..."

She scrambled to help me up, but froze midgesture when our eyes locked.

Then, Mr. LatetotheParty makes his entrance.

He pulls her in, all worry and furrowed brows, "Vanessa, you good?"

He then turned to me, icy as hell, "What's your deal? Walk much?"

But he did a full doubletake when he saw it was me.

I couldn't help but smirk

This whole mess was straight out of a freakin' drama.

"Babe."

"This the 'overtime' you've been racking up?"

13

Before this mess blew up,

I thought I could brush it off.

So I kept everything calm and cool.

Not now.

It's glaringly obvious.

I can't do it.

I can't just smile and wave it off.

I can't act like it doesn't cut deep.

14

The drive home? Cold as a freezer.

I just stared out at the city lights, all lit up.

This city's done a total 180, with no trace of its gritty past.

Today, it has descended into sheer decadence, a stark departure from its humble origins.

"She and I ain't a thing."

"Don't sweat it."

Jack shattered the silence.

He sat quietly, waiting for me to bite.

"And?"

What am I supposed to say?

Play the fool, act like all's well, spewing lies I can't stomach?

Or go nuclear, demand he kicks her to the curb?

I mean, come on, I've always had a bit of a spark, a total diva at times.

Jack's had me on cloud nine forever.

How could I not snap sometimes?

He pulled me in close, his grin all loveydovey, "Honey, you'll always be my princess."

So when Jack started those marathon work nights, I threw tantrums and sobbed my heart out.

I did whatever to pull him back early.

I wanted more of him.

But I'll never shake off that look he gave me when he was plastered.

No warmth, no softness.

Just an icy dismissal.

At that instant, He felt like a stranger.

"Ella, you ain't a princess anymore."

See?

When you're not cherished, you don't even get to be headstrong.

Just like right now.

16

I shifted gears, "Stomach's in knots."

"Get me to the ER."

Jack paused but then got it, and turned the car toward the ER, "Time of the month?"

"Got some sweets in the car, try one."

I kept mum, unwrapping and popping the candy.

Eh.

My period had gone for days.

Besides, I'm not one for sweets.

17

We never made it to the hospital, and pulled over halfway.

I bailed out.

A hint of guilt flickered in Jack's eyes, but his phone rang, and he steeled up.

"Trouble with Vanessa."

"Need to check on her."

"What about me?" That was my followup.

Jack didn't expect that.

His brow creased, his tone chilled, "Ella, this ain't the time for your drama."

I was dumbstruck, barely squeezed out, "So, for another gal."

"You'd strand me roadside."

"Right?"

"Ella, what's with the theatrics?"

19

"Hospital's just down the road."

"Catch a cab."

"But Vanessa, she's too young."

"She needs me."

20

Even when I finally made it to the hospital solo, couldn't snap out of it.

My mind was racing, trying to make sense of all Jack's words.

I looked down, and peered at the pregnancy test in my hand.

Maybe it's the whole "baby brain" thing. My brain cells were on holiday.

Trying to decode his words became tough work for me.

Tears dropped and blurred the ink on the paper.

Then, like a rainstorm, they just kept coming.

21

After that day, Jack guessed he'd overstepped.

He spent the next few days cutting out early to be with me.

He even picked up a bunch of gifts, aiming to win me back.

"Babe, your favorite coffee."

"Snagged your fav coffee on the way home."

Jack moved closer to hug me.

We were super close, and I caught a whiff of some sweet perfume.

Not mine.

My stomach turned over.

I stepped aside.

"Hmm." My response was thin.

Seeing my chill, Jack's smile dimmed.

He backed off some distance.

And then he clammed up.

I knew he was ticked.

Used to be, I'd be all over him, cuddles and kisses, dialing up the charm.

"What was up with her that night?"

Jack hesitated, then figured out who I meant.

His lips twitched into a smirk, quickly stamped it down.

"Vanessa's all good."

"Just got spooked by the dark, that's all."

I watched Jack's face closely.

No lies there.

But pure adoration.

Just not for me.

It felt like a knife to the heart.

A raw, bleeding kind of hurt.

I kept my game face on, though.

Over time, Jack's focus had shifted away from me.

When did I first catch wind of it?

Was it when I barged into his office and caught that young, hot secretary making moves on him, then "accidentally" falling right into his arms with a kiss?

Or when a tipsy Jack came home escorted by some random chick with her lipstick all over his collar?

Or now, with the shy newbie snagging all his attention?

...

Too many red flags.

I didn't even need detectives or snoops.

Looking at Jack now felt like staring at a stranger.

He was always generous, and never tightfisted with me.

And I was all happy to play along.

Love doesn't numb the pain.

Money does.

23

But lately, money's lost its appeal.

I found myself gently touching my belly.

My unborn baby, now my only true kin.

I dreamt of giving her a warm, stable home.

Not this icy, suspicious one.

I hardened my expression.

"Jack, it's time we get a divorce."

24

"That's not on the table."