The car pulled to the side of the road.
Harrison’s hands clenched the steering wheel. It was a long moment before he turned to look at the woman beside him.
Tears glistened in the corners of Ursula’s eyes as she bit her lip.
After speaking her truth, a weight lifted from her chest, but anxiety quickly filled the void.
She didn’t know if he truly wanted this child.
“Have you been to the doctor?” Harrison asked. His voice was calm, though his eyes behind his glasses grew darker with some unreadable emotion.
Ursula nodded, “Yes. Six weeks.”
His gaze dropped to her belly. He had always been careful, though sometimes, things happened in the heat of passion.
The odds were slim, but possible.
Withdrawing his gaze, Harrison leaned back, removing his glasses to pinch the bridge of his nose.
Seeing him like this made Ursula’s heart sink.
He showed no joy. So, he had never wanted this child.
She felt a heavy weight in her chest. Ursula’s fingers clenched and unclenched in her lap, until finally, she mustered the courage to ask, “Do you want it?”
Harrison turned to her with surprise flickering in his eyes.
Clearly, he hadn’t expected her to ask that question.
“If you don’t want it...” Ursula took a deep breath, “I’ll still have the baby.”
He turned to face her, frowning. “What makes you think I wouldn’t want it?”
“You’ve said it before.” Ursula avoided his gaze, knowing if she looked into his eyes, she’d feel like a burglar who’d tried to steal his heart and ended up losing hers instead.
Harrison sighed and put his glasses back on. “I’ve said it too. I married you, Ursula. You’re Mrs. Whitman.”
At his words, Ursula felt an unexpected sting in her nose. She had the urge to cry.
She stared out the car window, tilting her head to keep the tears at bay.
At least, she didn’t want him to see her cry.
Harrison glanced at her and restarted the car.
They drove into the underground parking lot of their community. He got out and walked around to open the door for her.
And then, he extended his hand to her.
Ursula, taken aback, looked up at him, forgetting what to do.
“It’s getting late.” Harrison took her hand, shielding her head from the car roof as she stepped out.
Ursula had to admit, these small gestures moved her.
When they were dating, he had been caring, which was the envy of her friends. He was the perfect boyfriend.
And in the two years of their marriage, he had been good to her. It was so good that she fell hard, mistaking his care for love.
Upon reflection, his kindness carried a hint of obligation, like a lesson learned by rote.
“Thank you,” she said, oddly formal.
After locking the car, Harrison walked beside her. He was a half-step behind, with an air of quiet protectiveness.
Entering the elevator, Ursula now felt a peculiar discomfort.
His earlier tenderness could be explained by his duty as her husband.
But this cautious care seemed to transform her role from wife to the mother of his child. He was protecting the baby more than her.
His gentleness had never stemmed from love for her.
This realization left Ursula feeling hollow. She felt she was empty inside.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Unwilling CEO's Love Game
Very abrupt ending...