The room erupted. My aunt Carla clapped, Jenna cried, and even Grandma Mary muttered, “Damn right!”
People came over, gave me hugs, and offered help. Sharon left quickly without saying much. A few cousins gave me looks I won’t forget anytime soon, but I didn’t care.
Later that night, I sat in the nursery we’d been putting together for weeks. There were tiny socks folded neatly in drawers. A crib still in its box. A little yellow elephant stuffed toy that my mom gave me sat in the corner.
I sat on the floor and let myself cry, not because I was heartbroken, but because I was relieved.
I had clarity and peace for the first time. I knew who I was now and what I deserved.
Grant, of course, texted me nonstop. Begged me to talk it out. Said I went “nuclear” and “humiliated him.” Said we needed to be a team “for the baby.”
I haven’t responded. I spoke to a lawyer the day after the party.
Sharon called, too. Said I should’ve “waited until after the party” and “handled things privately.” I asked her if she had told her son to handle things privately when he was booking hotel rooms. She hung up on me.
Lila told me that half the guests are still buzzing about the party. And one of Grant’s coworkers was at the party and told everyone in the office what happened. Apparently, he’s the office joke now. Good!
I’m not proud of everything I did. But I’m proud of standing up for myself.
My son is going to grow up knowing that his mom chose dignity over silence. That she didn’t let a cheater smile for the cameras while pretending to be the perfect husband and family man.
And when I think back to that moment, that balloon bursting, those papers falling, the look on Grant’s face as his lies unfolded in front of everyone, I know I’ll never forget it.
And honestly?
I wouldn’t change a thing.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
