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| Pregnant woman holding her belly | Source: Pexels |
When Olivia joined a pottery class to occupy herself during her second pregnancy, she had no idea that this casual activity with her friend Ava would uncover a devastating secret about her husband.
Olivia reflects on her current second pregnancy, contemplating how people often mention its emotional nature. She initially dismissed this as one of her mother's old wives' tales, but discovered there was truth to it - though not because of the pregnancy itself, but due to her husband's actions.
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| Pregnant woman seating on the couch eating snacks | Source: Midjourney |
Throughout her pregnancy, Olivia's main desires were simple: wrapping herself in blankets, watching mindless television, and indulging in snacks. While she was content with this routine, knowing pregnancy was draining, her best friend Ava had different intentions.
"You need to get out of the house," Ava declared while preparing a strawberry milkshake in Olivia's kitchen. Olivia remained on the couch, feet elevated, silently wishing Ava would let her be with her snacks.
"Why?" Olivia inquired, knowing Ava wouldn't accept rejection.
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| Strawberry milkshake | Source: Pexels |
"Because you're turning into a hermit, Liv. We used to have fun, remember?" Ava flashed her persuasive smile as she operated the blender.
"I think you're confusing fun with exhaustion," Olivia responded quietly.
"I heard about this cool pottery place," Ava continued, ignoring Olivia's comment. "You sign up for these pottery parties, and you can either make or paint something."
Olivia questioned skeptically, "And we're signing up for this because…?"
"Because it'll be fun! Come on, let's make something cute for the baby's nursery. You need to get out of your head for a bit," Ava insisted, serving the milkshake.
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| Art supplies | Source: Pixabay |
Olivia relented with a sigh, imagining her already swollen ankles worsening. "Fine," she conceded, aware of Ava's persistence. "But you owe me. Whatever this baby craves that night, you're on snack duty."
"Deal!" Ava exclaimed triumphantly. "I already told Malcolm he's on Tess duty for the night."
This statement surprised Olivia. Ava typically just tolerated Malcolm for Olivia's sake, so hearing she'd already discussed plans with him seemed unusual. Nevertheless, Olivia dismissed her concerns, wondering what harm could come of it.
Upon arriving at the pottery venue, the first notable feature was the lively atmosphere - filled with the chatter of fifteen women who'd booked the same session, gathered around tables cluttered with artistic supplies and colorful mugs awaiting decoration.
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| Person painting on pottery | Source: Unsplash |
The environment resembled more of a social gathering than a peaceful crafting session. Ava beamed with satisfaction as she guided Olivia forward.
"See? Told you it'd be fun," she remarked proudly.
Olivia playfully rolled her eyes. "If by fun you mean loud, then sure."
They selected a table near the back, away from the main crowd, and began working with their brushes and ceramics. Initially, the atmosphere matched Ava's description - relaxed, enjoyable, and filled with merriment.
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| Women in a pottery class | Source: Midjourney |
The conversation flowed naturally between groups, creating a communal atmosphere. The discussion inevitably turned to pregnancy and childbirth - topics Olivia was thoroughly familiar with. Women shared their experiences, or those of their sisters and friends, each tale more dramatic than the last.
Then a woman seated nearby shared a story that changed the entire atmosphere, at least for Olivia.
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| Couple having a romantic date | Source: Midjourney |
"So, I was on a date with my boyfriend last summer," the woman began, working on a delicate floral pattern on her mug. "We were at my flat, it was the 4th of July, and we were watching a movie when suddenly, he got this call. Apparently, his sister-in-law had gone into labor."
Olivia stopped mid-stroke, something about the narrative triggering her memory.
"He told me we had to leave right away because it was a 'family thing' and they all wanted to be there when the baby was born," the woman explained casually. "I thought it was weird. I mean, why did he need to go? It was almost midnight, we were both exhausted, but he insisted.
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| Woman in a pottery and painting class | Source: Midjourney |
Olivia sensed Ava tense beside her, feeling her friend's concerned gaze, but couldn't meet her eyes. Her heart began racing.
"The baby was born that night," the woman continued, unaware of Olivia's growing distress. "A little girl. I remember because he told me her name—Tess."
Olivia's brush clattered onto the table. The realization hit her - Tess, born on Independence Day. She was the Olivia in this story.
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| Pregnant woman in a painting class | Source: Midjourney |
"Liv, is this some kind of joke?" Ava whispered.
But Olivia's physical reaction confirmed this wasn't humorous at all.
The woman continued sharing her story, oblivious to the impact of her words. Olivia's hands grew clammy as she pretended to focus on the paints before her, each word feeling like a physical blow.
Pregnant woman in a painting class | Source: Midjourney
"But Malcolm missed it! Can you imagine?" the woman laughed and rolled her eyes. "He was there for his niece's birth, but not our son's! He said he was babysitting his niece, Tess, and just couldn't leave."
Olivia felt Ava's tension increase as her friend glanced at her. "What are the odds?" Ava whispered almost inaudibly.
Despite every instinct urging her to flee, Olivia couldn't ignore the pieces falling into place. She gathered her courage and asked the dreaded question, already knowing the answer: "Wait, your boyfriend's name is Malcolm?"
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| Screen saver of a family of three | Source: Midjourney |
The woman looked surprised by Olivia's sudden interest. "Yeah, Malcolm. Why?"
The world seemed to spin as Olivia retrieved her phone. "And this is him?" she asked shakily, displaying her phone's screensaver - a family photo of Malcolm, Tess, and herself from their recent outing. Her hands trembled as she showed the image.
The woman examined the photo, her expression changing as recognition set in. She nodded slowly. "Yeah, that's him... why?"
Olivia struggled to speak, her voice emerging as a weak whisper. "He's... my husband."
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| Upset woman | Source: Pixabay |
The woman's eyes widened with shock. "Wait... your husband?" She looked between Olivia and the phone. "But… he's the father of my son, too."
Olivia's world crumbled. The shocked whispers around the table barely registered as she processed this devastating revelation. Her husband - her Malcolm - hadn't just been unfaithful; he'd fathered a child with this woman who'd unknowingly shared their story in front of everyone.
The formerly cheerful pottery session became suffocating as the reality of the situation overwhelmed her.
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| Pregnant woman at a painting class | Source: Midjourney |
"Ava," Olivia managed to say, clutching her friend's arm, "I need water. Please."
Ava immediately responded, rising to fetch water, her face reflecting her own shock.
The other participants exchanged uncomfortable glances, their previous cheerfulness replaced by heavy silence as they witnessed Olivia's emotional devastation. Their faces showed awkward sympathy and silent horror.
Olivia couldn't remain there any longer.
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| Woman holding a phone | Source: Unsplash |
"I need to go," she muttered, rising abruptly. She stumbled toward the exit on unsteady legs, tears streaming down her face. Finding refuge in the bathroom, she locked herself in and gripped the sink for support as the full impact of her discovery overwhelmed her.
She'd just learned her husband maintained a separate life, including another child, without her knowledge.
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| Glass bowl full of chocolate | Source: Pexels |
Olivia decided to confront Malcolm about the situation, particularly given her impending due date in five weeks. She needed clarity before bringing another child into this complicated situation.
Malcolm eventually admitted to both the affair and his other child, destroying their marriage completely.
Now she spends her time consuming chocolate and investigating divorce attorneys.
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| Mother and children | Source: Pexels |
This wasn't the future she'd envisioned for her children - a family broken by betrayal. The situation seemed impossible: how could she maintain a relationship with someone who nearly missed their daughter's birth while with another woman? How could she continue living with a man who secretly fathered another child?
The harsh reality was undeniable. Her innocent children now had a half-sibling resulting from their father's infidelity. Despite the overwhelming nature of this truth, she knew her course of action.
While she couldn't mend what was broken, she could forge a new path - one centered on love, trust, and stability for her children, which they rightfully deserved.
As they headed to the car, Olivia told Ava quietly, "This is it, Ava, I'm done with him."
Her words carried absolute conviction.
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