As the plane flew over the music restaurant, something twisted in my chest.
Out of nowhere, I clutched at it–a strange ache blooming deep inside me.
It felt like something important had just slipped away without a sound.
Kirsten, sitting across from me, didn’t notice a thing. She was still going on about how amazing the food was at that place.
Normally, I’d smile and humor her, letting her talk.
But for some reason, all I could think about was Chantelle.
If it were her sitting next to me, she would’ve noticed right away.
The second she saw me touching my chest, she’d be quickly asking if I was okay. Heck, she would even urge me to get my heart checked by a doctor.
Seeing Kirsten still rambling on about the music–sounding so romantic and the damn dessert tasting one of a kind, I couldn’t help but compare them.
I didn’t know why it hit me then, but I… ‘I think I miss Chantelle, though she’s just at the
estate.‘
It was just that ever since we got married, I hardly ever took her to places like this.
At first, I just wanted to spend quiet time with her at home.
I didn’t realize when it became a habit.
And then Kirsten showed up again–like a spell I couldn’t break.
Or maybe it was just the old resentment of having been left behind that had never really gone away.
Whichever the case, I let myself get entangled with her again–so much so that I fathered two kids behind my wife’s back.
Now, that ache in my chest wouldn’t go away.
I couldn’t stop thinking about the way Chantelle looked at me before I left.
‘So calm. So empty. Like nothing in the world can make her stay anymore…
That was when Kirsten finally looked over and noticed something was off.
But instead of asking why I was distracted, she scowled.
“If being out with me and the kids is such a chore, maybe just don’t come next Locke.”
Then she turned away, waiting for me to chase after her.
- e.
Watching her sulk like that, I felt this wave of exhaustion hit me.
She had always been this way–headstrong, stubborn.
Back then, she’d act soft around me, but that was just her insecurity.
1/2 13.0%
11:38 Mon, 23 JunG
Now that she had my backing, the real her was back.
80%
I couldn’t help but think, ‘This is the life I thought I wanted… So why does it feel so damn wrong?‘
Still, I pulled myself together and played along. I said all the right things to calm her down.
Eventually, her face brightened up again, and the twins gave me shy little smiles.
Later that night, when we got back to the estate, I automatically glanced around, hoping to see Chantelle.
But she wasn’t there.
I frowned without even meaning to.
Kirsten noticed–of course she did–and instantly knew who I was looking for.
There was a flash of something sharp in her eyes, but her voice stayed sweet.
“Maybe she’s just sulking. She wants you to apologize or something.”
She gave a little shrug.
“Give it time. Once she realizes playing hard to get doesn’t work, she’ll come back.”
Then she paused, like the idea just came to her.
“Or… unless you want me to apologize to her? I can do that–if you think it’ll help. I just worry… if she comes back, what if she hurts the kids again?”
She made it sound so thoughtful, like she was actually worried.
But as she kept going, I heard it–how much she was talking trash about Chantelle. As I waited for her to shut up, I could feel my patience snapping.
But she didn’t stop. She just kept rambling on and on… until finally, I couldn’t take it
anymore.
“Watch your mouth!” I snapped. “I know what kind of person Chantelle is–stop talking about her like that!”
And with that, I stormed upstairs, too furious to say anything else.
Kirsten’s POV
Lachlan stormed off, footsteps pounding up the stairs like a final warning.
I stood frozen in the quiet that followed, the corners of my mouth twitching before flattening again.
He didn’t even look back.
Slowly, I turned to the twins.
My nails dug into their soft arms, not enough to bruise–just enough to remind them.
They didn’t cry.
They just flinched. I smirked, watching their shoulders curl in like they’d learned long ago it was safer not to make a noise.
