"Meg? What's going on?" My older sister's voice crackles through the phone, laced with concern.
I take a shaky breath, trying to compose myself, but the tears come anyway. "Gabe... he wants a divorce."
There was a beat of silence on the other end, and I could almost hear her brain processing the weight of my words. "What? Are you serious?"
"Yeah," I managed to choke out, each word heavy with despair. "He just... walked out. Just like that."
"Meg, I don't understand. Why? What happened?"
"He didn't say. Just that he can't pretend anymore, that he needs space." I felt the sob rise in my throat, a bitter reminder of the reality I was facing. "I don't know what to do, Liz. I- I'm pregnant. I can't do this alone."
"Pregnant? And he-" she cuts off her words and remains silent for a few seconds as if taking it all in. Then, "Congratulations baby. Okay, okay. Just breathe," she urges, her voice steadying me slightly. "I'm on my way. Just hang tight. I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Thanks," I whisper, gratitude flooding through me even as the dread looms larger.
Hanging up, I stare at the wall, my mind racing. How had things spiraled so quickly? Gabe and I had shared dreams, plans, and a future together. We'd been partners in every sense of the word, and now, here I was, reeling from his decision. The air felt thick and heavy with unspoken words and lost possibilities.
I shuffled into the living room, my hands trembling as I survey the space that had once felt like home. Now, it seemed empty and hollow, a mere shell of what it used to be. The photos lining the walls- our wedding day, our family vacations... They now are a mockery of the reality I faced. Each frame held memories of laughter and love, memories that feel tainted now.
Blowing my nose into a tissue, I sigh, glancing at the door as if expecting him to walk through it any moment. A part of me wants to open the door, to let him back in, but another part screams for me to stand my ground.
His parents flash across my mind. They might be gone but I still cared for them. I feel ashamed for their son for them.
Gritting my teeth, I head upstairs to take a bath.
When I am done, I head back downstairs, Gabe heavy on my mind and I eye the huge front door, wishing he would just walk back in and ask me about my nightmare.
Sinking onto the couch, feeling utterly defeated, I ran my hands over my belly, as if trying to reassure myself. "I'm sorry, little one," I discreetly mutter, tears streaming down my cheeks. "I never wanted this for you."
The minutes drag on as I wait for Liz to arrive, the silence only amplifying my anxiety. I pick up my phone, scrolling through photos of Gabe and me, images frozen in time where everything seemed perfect. But now, those smiles felt like ghosts, reminders of a life I was losing.
As I stare at the screen, a text notification lit up. It was from Gabe. My heart races as I open it, hope and dread mingling in my chest.
[Are you okay? I didn't mean to hurt you.]
Is he stupid? Am I okay?
Another one comes in. [I know how selfish I am being Megara, but it is better this way. We both deserve to be happy]
My finger hesitated, hovering over the screen. What was there to explain? He had made his choice. But part of me longed for clarity, for understanding- perhaps even for a shred of hope.
[I know about her Gabriel] I hit send and set my phone down, anxiety bubbling inside me. I couldn't let him back in, not now, not after everything.
A few moments later, my phone buzzed again but I ignored it.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, and my heart leaps into my throat. I rush to answer it, half hoping it was Liz and half hoping it was Gabe. But when I open the door, I find my sister standing there, worry etched across her face.
"Hey," she said, pulling me into a tight hug. "I came as fast as I could."
"Thanks for coming," I say under my breath, because my throat hurts, grateful for her presence, even as my emotions threatened to boil over again. She did leave three children and a husband behind for me.
"Let's sit," she said, leading me back into the living room. She settles beside me, her expression serious. "Tell me everything."
My tears spilled then like never before. As if the weight of the world was resting on my shoulders. Liz hugs me but also left me with enough room to let my hurt out. Finally, I take a deep breath, spilling out everything as I recounted the events of the past few days, though in the back of my mind is a nagging. Gabe has been strange weeks if not months now, but I do not say this to my sister. I tell her the discovery of the lipstick stain, and finally, his bombshell about wanting a divorce. Each word felt like a dagger in my heart, and I watch as Liz's face contorted with disbelief.
"Why would he do this?" she asked, shaking her head. "You guys seemed so solid."
"Solid," I repeat bitterly. "That's what I thought. But I guess I was wrong."
"What a coward," she mutters. "You deserve better than this, Meg. You're carrying his child for heaven's sake!" She eyed my flat belly as she spoke. "Want me to get Matty to beat him up, for us?"
Cracking a tiny smile at her attempt of a joke, I say, "I know," my voice breaking again. "But he doesn't seem to care. It's like I don't matter anymore."
"Have you talked to him since he left?"
I glance at my phone, the text from Gabe still sitting unread on the screen. "I don't think I can listen to whatever excuse he has."
"Why not?" Liz asked her tone firm but gentle. "You deserve to know why he's doing this. You can't move forward without answers."
I hesitate, biting my lip as I weigh her words. Part of me wanted to slam the door shut on Gabe, to cut off all ties and never look back. But another part of me, a part that still loves him, wants to understand what had gone so horribly wrong.
Finally, I admit, "I'm scared that he might ask me to- abort it."
"Then you'll know," she said, her voice steady. "You can't make decisions based on assumptions. You need the truth, no matter how painful."
I nod slowly, still torn but listening to reason.
"Good," she said, squeezing my hand. "You're strong, Meg. You'll get through this. And I'll be right here with you, every step of the way."
Taking a deep breath, I feel slightly steadier with her by my side. But just then, my phone buzzes again. It was another message from Gabe.
Taking a deep breath, she asked, "Did you eat? Did you feed my niece or nephew?" Her voice took on a baby tone when she said, 'niece and nephew' and I smiled.
"I feel like eggs."
"Eggs?" My older sister gave me a lopsided smile. I have never had eggs since mum died. It tasted weird to me after she was no longer there to make breakfast for me anymore. My mother and twin sister, Avrielle, died in a vehicle smash-up when we were in college, leaving behind our grieving father, Liz, and me.
Me, who felt hollow since and only Gabe had sort of made me feel semi-whole again and now the void is bigger. A big gap inside me.