Chapter 25
Stella
I had to skip class today, and when I notified my professor last night that I wouldn’t be able to attend, he wanted an explanation. He had a strict policy about absences. So, I told him I had to be in court to get my marriage annulled.
I was still at the hotel but in a different room. I wasn’t having any luck finding an apartment with which I was in love. Maybe I was being too picky, but I knew what I wanted for my baby and me and in which area.
My belly was twisted in knots as I gripped my purse strap and walked up the stairs to the courthouse. I swallowed hard when I saw Miles standing there.
“Hello, Stella.”
“Miles.” I nodded and kept walking.
He and Nolan followed behind.
“Stella, wait. How are you?”
“I’m great, Miles.” I smiled. “I’d ask how you are, but I don’t care.”
Nolan led us to the courtroom, where we took our seats and waited for the judge to call our names.
“In the case of Bradshaw vs. Bradshaw. Will you step up?”
Nolan, Miles, and I stepped up and stood before the judge.
“You’ve filed a petition for an annulment of your marriage, correct?”
“Yes, your honor,” Miles and I spoke at the same time.
“The reason for the annulment is irreconcilable differences?”
“Yes, your honor,” we both spoke.
“You’ve been married a little over two months. Marriage takes some time to get used to.” The judge smiled. “Are you sure you both really want this?”
“Yes, your honor,” I spoke up. “He is not the man I thought he was.”
“Care to elaborate on that, Mrs. Bradshaw?”
Fuck.
“He’s married to his work. That is the only priority in his life, and it always will be. He can’t help it, though. It was how he was raised. I thought maybe things would be different when we got married, but they weren’t. It’s who he is, and unfortunately, I can’t live with a man like that.”
“Mr. Bradshaw?” The judge looked at him.
“She’s right. Everything she said is true.” He looked down.
“Petition granted. I will sign the decree, and your marriage will be annulled.”
“Thank you, your honor,” Nolan spoke. “Let’s go.” He motioned for Miles and me to leave the courtroom.
* * *
Miles
I swallowed the lump in my throat as we left the courthouse. Stella walked a few feet ahead of Nolan and me, and I needed to speak with her.
“Stella, wait.”
She stopped and turned around, facing me with her sad eyes.
“We need to talk,” I said.
“There’s nothing to say, Miles. We’re free from each other now. Please leave me alone. I have a doctor’s appointment to get to.”
“For the baby?” I asked.
“Yes. I have to go.” She walked away.
“Can I come with you?” I shouted. She stopped, and I ran over to her. “I am the baby’s father and should be there.”
“You’re a sperm donor.” She looked down at the ground.
“That’s not fair, Stella. I want to go with you.”
“Don’t you have to get to the office?”
“Work can wait. Please.”
“Whatever, Miles.”
“Sean will drive us. Come on. He’s parked over here.” I led her to the Escalade and opened the door.
“It’s good to see you, Stella.” Sean smiled.
“It’s good to see you too, Sean.” She stared out the window.
The entire ride to the doctor’s office was silent. I didn’t expect her to say anything since our marriage was just annulled, and she hated me. But I was with her, and that’s all that mattered.
We walked into the building lobby and took the elevator up to the third floor. After sitting in the waiting room for a few moments, the nurse took us back into a room.
“I don’t know why you even came,” Stella said, sitting on the exam table.
“Because I’m worried about you.”
“Yeah, right.” She breathed out a laugh. “The only person you care and worry about is yourself.”
“Maybe that was true not long ago, but then I met you.”
“Save it, Bradshaw.” She looked away from me.
The door opened, and the doctor walked in.
“Hi, Stella. Oh, hello. I’m Dr. Gregario.” He extended his hand. “And you are?”
“Miles Bradshaw, the baby’s father.” I shook his hand.
“Sperm donor,” Stella blurted out. “And ex-husband.”
“Oh, I see. How are you feeling, Stella?”
“I still have morning sickness, but it’s not as bad.”
“Good. It will continue to improve in the coming weeks. You’re ten weeks pregnant, which means you’ll get to hear your baby’s heartbeat. After I do an exam, we’ll get a ten-week scan and check to see how your baby is growing. Mr. Bradshaw, I need you to step out for a few moments.”
“Okay.” I stood up from the chair, and when I went to place my hand on Stella’s before walking out, she pulled away.
I walked out of the room and waited in the hallway until Dr. Gregario was finished. My phone was vibrating non-stop with calls from the office. I sent a text to Isla.
“Is there any type of emergency?”
“No.”
“I’m turning my phone off. I’ll be in later.”
I turned my phone off and placed it in my pocket. The room door opened, and Dr. Gregario stepped out.
“The nurse will be in soon to take you and Stella down to the ultrasound room.” He placed his hand on my shoulder.
I walked into the room and looked at Stella.
“Did he say everything was okay?” I asked.
“Yep.” She wouldn’t look at me. “Why the sudden change, Miles?” she blurted out. “We just came from the courthouse and had our fake marriage annulled. There’s no reason for you to be here.”
“You’re my reason, and the child you’re carrying is my reason.”
“Please.” She shook her head.
The nurse walked in. “Are you two ready to see your baby?” She smiled.
She led us to the ultrasound room and told Stella to lie on the table.