We drove home in silence, the tension between us palpable.
I still hadn't spoken to Clyde, my emotions raw.
As we arrived home, I saw Ani sitting on the couch, Rhodes snuggled up beside her.
She was reading him a bedtime story.
I frowned, feeling a surge of unease.
Why was she taking care of Rhodes?
Where was the pregnancy excitement now?
I swiftly took Rhodes from Ani.
"Time for bed, baby," I said, forcing a smile.
Rhodes yawned.
"Night, Aunt Anissa," he said, hugging Ani.
I carried Rhodes upstairs.
As I tucked him into bed.
"Sleep tight, sweetie," I whispered.
Rhodes' eyes drifted shut.
Downstairs, I heard Ani's voice.
"Clyde, can we talk?"
My heart skipped a beat.
What did she want to tell him?
I strained to listen.
Clyde's response was muffled.
Ani's tone grew urgent.
"Clyde, I need to tell you something. It's important."
Clyde's voice rose.
"What is it, Ani?"
Ani hesitated.
"I...I don't know if I should say."
My curiosity piqued.
What secret was Ani hiding?
I tiptoed downstairs, careful not to creak the stairs, my heart racing with anticipation. Rhodes' gentle snores still echoed in my mind, a stark contrast to the tense scene unfolding below.
Ani's voice trembled, laced with fear.
"How did you know?" she stammered.
Clyde's tone was firm, his anger barely contained.
"I was told," he spat. "Now, explain. How are you pregnant?"
Ani's shock turned to desperation, her eyes pleading.
"Clyde, please listen...it's not what you think."
Clyde cut her off, his words sharp.
"No, Ani. You knew I didn't want kids. And I didn't touch you. So, how?"
Ani's sobs filled the room, her body shaking.
"You don't understand...I'm not so young anymore...I want kids...I've always dreamed of being a mother."
Clyde's voice rose, his fury boiling over.
"That's not my problem! You knew my stance. Now, tell me, how are you pregnant?"
Ani's cries intensified, her words barely intelligible.
"I...I thought...we could...work through it..."
Clyde's disgust was palpable.
"Work through it? You deceived me, Ani. You knew my feelings."
I covered my mouth, stifling a gasp. This was uglier than I thought.
Ani's desperation turned to defiance.
"I won't apologize for wanting a child...for wanting a family."
Clyde's anger reached a boiling point.
"Who is the father?" he thundered.
Ani's words tumbled out amidst heart-wrenching sobs.
"I...I went to the sperm bank...I used your sample...from years ago...when you were still single..."
Clyde's face transformed into a picture of outrage, his eyes bulging and his face beet red.
"How could you?" he thundered, his voice echoing through the house and reverberating off the walls.
Ani cringed, her body trembling uncontrollably.
"I wanted a child...I thought it was my only chance...I couldn't bear the thought of never being a mother..."
Clyde's fury was uncontrollable, his anger boiling over.
"You manipulated me! You stole from me! You knew I didn't want kids!"
I watched, my heart aching, as the scene unfolded.
I couldn't bear it anymore.
I stepped into the room, my presence a calm oasis in the midst of turmoil.
"Clyde, stop," I said softly, my voice a gentle breeze.
He turned to me, his eyes blazing with anger and hurt.
"Clyde, please calm down," I urged.
He trembled with rage, his chest heaving.
"You don't understand," he growled.
"This isn't about joy or happiness. It's about deception and betrayal."
I wrapped my arms around him, holding him close.
"Listen to me," I whispered.
"A child is a blessing. Think about the joy, the laughter, the love..."
Clyde pushed me away, his expression unyielding.
"You don't get it," he snapped.
"This isn't about me wanting kids. It's about Ani's lies."
I held his gaze, my eyes locked on his.
"Maybe this is a second chance," I suggested.
"For both of you. For Ani to be a mother, for you to be a father..."
Clyde's expression softened slightly, his anger waning.
Ani's sobs continued, her body racked with anguish.
"I'm sorry, Clyde," she whispered.
"I just wanted...to be a mom...to have a family..."
Clyde's voice cracked, his emotions raw.
"Leave me alone," he pleaded.
"Both of you. Just give me space."
The room fell silent, the tension palpable.