My husband’s childhood friend has “autumn melancholy,” becoming depressed and suicidal every fall. He took three months off work to stay with her overseas.
He always said, “Sarah, she’s pitiful. Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.”
I got used to him disappearing for three months every year until a business trip to Eldravia, where I saw a five-year-old girl with him.
“Daddy, why do you only stay with Mommy and me for three months each year? I want you with us longer.”
My husband hugged her and held his childhood sweetheart’s hand. “Daddy’s situation is special, Lindsay. Be good. When you turn 18, I’ll take you home to meet your grandparents.”
I quietly prepared to leave, pretending to know nothing. When autumn turned to winter, my husband called, saying, “Isabella’s doing better. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
I looked at the coffin and the prepared letter, smiling coldly. “Alright, I’ll be waiting for you.”
——
One early autumn afternoon in Varinthia, I froze in shock as I saw my husband, Matt, feeding pigeons with a little girl.
“Daddy, why do you only stay with Mommy and me for three months each year? I want more time with you.”
My mind went blank. Where did Matt get this child? Maybe I heard wrong, or perhaps he cared for Isabella’s daughter so much that he treated her like his own and the little girl simply called him Daddy.
Isabella leaned on Matt’s shoulder and said softly, “Matt, I’ve been with you for seven years without a title and Lindsay is already five. Do you really want us to wait another 13 years?”
Matt sighed. “I have no choice, Isabella. Our families have been tied by marriage for generations, so I had to marry Sarah. She’s only my wife in name. If she finds out about you, the Thornton Family might hurt you.”
He paused, his voice firm. “Don’t worry. When Lindsay turns 18, she’ll have the right to inherit the Garner Family estate. By then, everything will be settled and Sarah won’t be able to stop it.”
Isabella nodded and touched her belly. “Alright. But you can’t have children with her, or Lindsay and this baby will be treated badly.”
Matt gently touched Isabella’s still-flat belly. “Don’t worry. Lindsay and this son are all I need.”
He whispered, “I’ve been secretly giving Sarah medicine so she can’t get pregnant. Our family’s feud with the Thornton Family should end with me.”
Something in me snapped. So that’s why. I’d been married for six years and never conceived. The doctor said I was healthy, yet I still couldn’t get pregnant.
Sienna had comforted me kindly, saying, “Don’t worry. Having a child takes time and fate.”
So he was the reason. Anger replaced my shock and pain. My hands trembled as I grabbed my phone.
“Auntie, Matt cheated on me. I’m following the Thornton Family’s rules. Please make a coffin big enough for three.”
The next afternoon, I “accidentally” went to Solmere, their favorite spot. When Matt saw me, his smile vanished and panic filled his face.
