As an OBGYN doctor, you were used to dealing with your patients' ups and downs. Just when you felt comfortable, the door opened and your heart raced. It was Marcus, your ex-husband, looking as distant as ever. He was with his new wife, who had a protective hand on her growing belly.
"We're just here for a check-up," Marcus said, his voice cold and distant.
As his wife walked cautiously, Marcus never took his eyes off her, softly murmuring, "Be careful, love."Your eyes widened as you recognized her. This was Marcus's new wife, carrying his child. As she gingerly made her way to the receptionist, Marcus stood close behind her, watching keenly.
Seeing them together filled you with inexplicable shame. It was one thing to know Marcus had moved on, but to see it for yourself was something else entirely. You couldn't help but notice the protective and tender way Marcus looked at his pregnant wife.
As you observed their interactions, a strange sensation filled you. It was envy, a feeling creeping in despite your best efforts to suppress it. Seeing Marcus's attention, concern, and affection towards his wife left a bitter taste in your mouth. It was a stark reminder of what you no longer had.
You composed yourself, masking your emotions with the best smile you could manage. It was a facade, a facade to hide the pain and envy gnawing at your heart. With a deep breath, you approached the couple, maintaining professional decorum.
Your heart skipped a beat as she began to share details about their relationship. The tone of her voice was laced with satisfaction and perhaps even a hint of gloating. It was almost as if she was relishing in the fact that she had what you once did.
Just as the weight of the moment pressed down, the clinic door chimed—Emmanuel walked in, warm and familiar, his smile like a throwback to simpler times. Your eyes locked for a brief second, and something inside you steadied. He didn't know Marcus was here. He didn't know *you* were still unraveling from seeing him.
But Emmanuel always had that effect—like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.
"Well, well," he said, grinning. "Long time no see, Doc."
Marcus's expression shifted as he noticed Emmanuel. A hint of annoyance or maybe even envy flickered across his face. It was subtle—a hardening of his gaze, a slight tightening of his jaw. You couldn't deny the irony in the situation—Marcus, who now had a new wife, was feeling something akin to jealousy over your reunion with Emmanuel.
You approached Emmanuel, grateful for his presence and his quick understanding of the situation. He caught on immediately, his eyes glinting with understanding as you played along. Acting as if you were the closest of friends, he matched your demeanor flawlessly. It felt strangely comforting, like a well-practiced dance. And all the while, Marcus watched intently, his annoyance evident in his stiff bearing.
As Marcus's wife intervened, introducing herself and boasting about her relationship and pregnancy, a surge of discomfort washed over you. Her bragging rang in your ears, and the mention of her pregnancy was a stark reminder of the situation. However, Emmanuel remained cool and polite, engaging in conversation with her, while casting sympathetic glances your way. It was a test of endurance, maintaining composure amidst the blatant display of happiness that was a painful contrast to your own current reality.
The air grew thick—silent, but charged. Emmanuel's easy smile didn't waver, but his eyes turned sharp, locked onto Marcus with a quiet intensity. Marcus, usually so controlled, leaned slightly forward, his hand instinctively brushing his wife's arm as if staking a claim.
No words passed between them. None were needed.
It was primal—a clash of unspoken rivalry crackling beneath the sterile clinic lights. You could feel it: pride, jealousy, territory being drawn in glances alone.
And you? You stood right in the middle—caught not just between two men… but two pasts.