My Coworker Asked About My Secret Husband, I Said Strangers Chapter 11
He finally gave up when I brought up that day.
He asked me, “How can you just kill our marriage like this? Don’t I at least deserve a chance?”
I looked him in the eye and said calmly, “I heard you fighting with your grandfather.”
Brandon froze. Panic flickered in his usually cold eyes.
“Elena and I would have a kid calling me dad by now,” I repeated, word for word.
His body went still, and his face turned pale.
“You remember saying that, don’t you? Those were your exact words.”
“I thought we had something real, and in one sentence you erased three years of marriage. I was the only one stupid enough to think you loved me too.”
As I turned away, he grabbed my hand. “Madison. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for what I said.”
“It was in the heat of the moment. I never meant to… to erase what we had. If I didn’t want you, if I still loved Elena, I never would have married you.”
He held my hand tight and looked down at me, his sharp features tense.
“Brandon, do you understand? We were over the moment you said those words. Even if I tried to stay now, something would blow up between us down the line.”
“Those words are lodged inside me forever. Every time our relationship hits a rough patch, I’ll remember it.”
“If marrying me caused you pain, if it made you miss your chance with her, then I’m sorry. I never wanted to trap you with my grandfather’s life-saving debt.”
“I married you because I loved you. Back then, I loved you.”
Brandon looked at me. Slowly, he let go of my hand.
I told my mom about the divorce over video call.
She didn’t ask why or blame me. She was worried I was hurting, so she packed bags full of homemade food and flew out alone to see me.
When I found out she’d come by herself, I couldn’t hold back the tears.
She held me.
I asked her, “Mom, do you think I’m being dramatic?”
She smiled. “Sweetheart, of course not. Only you know how much this hurts.”
“Your grandfather and father are both gone. Life hasn’t been easy for me. Why would it be easy for you just because you’re my daughter?”
“I never wanted to use any debt to trap the Coles. I let you marry Brandon because I could see that you loved him.”
It was the first time as an adult that I lay in bed with my mom.
“Mom, once I get settled in Austin, I’ll have you come live with me. Okay?”
Her eyes were soft. “Okay. I’ll be waiting.”