My Ex Husband's Greatest Regret

Caroline Thompson (Mrs. Lockwood) “It’s so good that you came. For a second, I was beginning to worry that you might not show up,” I said as I leaned toward the velvet chair in the private lounge of Lulu’s Five-Star Restaurant. I had chosen this place carefully.....my new favorite spot where the soft lighting and elegant décor always soothed my cravings during this late stage of pregnancy. I’d seen it listed on Peter’s schedule and immediately checked it out. The entire private lounge was reserved just for us… or so I had thought. But Peter Lockwood, my husband of three years, hadn’t come alone. He arrived with Cerene, my blonde twin sister with dimples to die for, leaning heavily on his arm. Cerene looked frail and pitiful as always, her pale skin almost translucent under the warm lights, her eyes watery with unshed tears. She clutched Peter’s sleeve with trembling fingers, her breathing shallow and labored from the asthma that had plagued her since childhood. The leukemia had only made everything worse, draining what little strength she had left. Peter helped Cerene into a seat first, his movements gentle and protective, before he finally took his own place across from me. He let out a tired sigh without even glancing at me. “Do not look at me like that. Cerene needed my help. You can’t always be greedy with my time, Caro.” His tone was nonchalant. The words filled me with a deep, uncertain pain that twisted in my chest. I couldn’t tell if it was the pregnancy hormones or the fact that my own husband had brought my sister to our supposed romantic lunch date. Cerene sat there looking so weak and tearful, dabbing at her eyes with a delicate handkerchief. “I-I’m so sorry, Caro,” Cerene whispered, her voice fragile and breaking. “I didn’t mean to intrude on your special time. My chest just felt so tight this morning… the asthma, you know. Peter insisted on bringing me along so he could watch over me. I feel terrible about it.” A single tear slipped down her cheek, and she coughed softly, the sound rattling in her lungs. Peter immediately turned to her, his hand covering hers with tender concern. “Don’t apologize, Cerene. You have nothing to be sorry for. You’re fighting leukemia and asthma every single day. That’s far more important than anything else.” He shot a cold look at me. “Unlike some people who only think about themselves, Caro.” I looked at him, a tight pain flooding my insides. I let out a breath and spoke softly, trying to keep my voice steady. “You know Cerene has a nurse with her most days… she would have helped. You’re my husband. You’re supposed to be here with me. The doctor said I could go into labor any moment…” Before I could finish, Cerene let out a sudden, wheezing gasp. Her hand flew to her chest, and her face crumpled in distress. “Peter… it’s happening again,” she whimpered, tears now flowing freely down her pale cheeks. “I can’t… breathe properly. The air feels so heavy… I’m sorry, I’m ruining everything…” Peter slammed his fist on the table, shaking it hard enough to rattle the cups. His eyes blazed with anger as he glared at me. “What’s wrong with you, Caro?! Your own twin sister is having an asthma attack right here, and you’re doing nothing. Just because you are nine months pregnant. You are so greedy. Women give birth all the damn time… it’s nothing special compared to what Cerene is going through with her leukemia.” His voice was cold and nonchalant, as if our date had been nothing but a mistake from the start. Cerene sobbed quietly beside him, looking smaller and more pitiful by the second. “Please don’t fight because of me,” she pleaded through her tears, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll be fine… just give me a moment…” Tears welled up in my eyes, my heart twisting uncomfortably. I had hoped arranging this lunch would help Peter bond with me and the baby. I had imagined he would finally rub my belly and tell me he loved me. Instead, I received only scolding....because of my sister, who always managed to make me feel small even in her presence. Cerene had always found a way to come between us. Peter rarely said anything without mentioning Cerene’s name, always defending her fragility, always putting her first. Cerene was my twin, younger by a few minutes. Born with severe asthma that had worsened over the years, and now battling leukemia on top of it, her health had always been fragile. Everyone around us seemed to care more about Cerene than about me. But I had never expected my husband to stop prioritizing me and choose my own twin sister instead. I swallowed hard and forced a small smile. I reached out to touch Peter’s collar while he was busy comforting Cerene. The second my fingers brushed him, he flinched as if my touch burned him. “Do not touch me. You are so annoying, Caro,” he seethed, pulling away sharply. I looked into his eyes....the same eyes that had once gazed at me with softness...now staring at me like I was a contagious disease. Peter didn’t care that I had booked the entire private lounge for us. He didn’t care that I had worn my best dress for him, the fabric stretching over my rounded belly. To him, it was all a waste of money and time. I felt shattered by my husband’s behavior. This was how our three years of marriage had been. Still, I clung to the hope that he would one day give me the affection and love I craved. Maybe after the baby came, things would change. A waiter arrived with water. I thanked him calmly with a smile, though my hands trembled slightly, and picked up the menu. I decided on a light Greek salad to satisfy my craving, hoping the simple meal might ease the tension. I glanced at Peter. His attention remained fixed on Cerene, who was still dabbing at her tears and taking shallow breaths. I cleared my throat. “Darling, at least pick something. We’re already here. I’m sorry I upset you, but please eat something for my sake.” Peter didn’t bother looking at me. “Order the same thing you’re having,” he said dismissively, a small smile curving his lips only when Cerene gave him a weak, grateful look. Another notification lit up his phone, but he ignored it for a moment to pat Cerene’s hand reassuringly. “You’re being so strong, Cerene. Hang in there.” I pressed my lips into a thin line and placed the order. At least he had agreed to eat, even if his focus was entirely elsewhere. Then the contractions began. I shifted slowly in my seat as an uncomfortable pressure built inside me, like something was forcing its way out. A sharp pain gripped my lower back and abdomen. I pressed both hands to my waist, breathing through the growing discomfort, trying not to make a scene. Peter didn’t notice at first. But Cerene’s condition worsened suddenly. Her wheezing grew louder, her body shaking with the effort to breathe. “Peter… I need… the hospital,” she gasped tearfully, clutching his arm desperately. “It feels like my lungs are closing… the leukemia makes everything so much harder…” Peter jumped up immediately, his face filled with alarm. “I’m here, Cerene. I’ve got you.” He wrapped his arm around her frail shoulders, helping her to her feet with utmost care. Without a second glance at me, he started guiding her toward the exit. “We’re going to the hospital right now. Just stay with me.” “Peter… I’m not… fine…” I winced, my voice strained as another contraction hit me harder. The pain was intensifying, radiating through my body. But he ignored me completely, fully focused on Cerene. “Yes, we’re coming right now. Hang on, okay…” He didn’t even finish addressing me as he stormed out with my sister, leaving me alone in the private lounge. The moment Peter left with Cerene, my water broke. Warm fluid soaked my dress. I let out a pained cry as the waiter approached with our food. He quickly helped me to my car, concern etched on his face. Despite the weakness spreading through my body, I refused to give up on our baby. Tears streaming down my cheeks, I drove myself to the nearest hospital, one hand on the steering wheel and the other clutching my belly. The contractions came faster now, each one stealing my breath. For three years, Peter had always chosen Cerene. For three years, he had barely given me a second glance. At times I even wondered if I was being selfish... When Peter first met Cerene… it had seemed harmless at first… a brother-in-law looking after his sister-in-law. Now it was destroying my marriage. As the contractions got worse, so did the speed of my car. I reached the hospital and called for help. Paramedics rushed forward and assisted me inside, wheeling me straight to the delivery room. “Ma’am, the baby is in distress, and a normal delivery will be nearly impossible,” one of the nurses said after examining me. “You can’t sign the C-section consent form in your current state. We need a signature from your husband or another next of kin. Is there anyone you can call?” I thought quickly, sweat beading on my forehead. I asked them to call my husband, hoping the nurse’s call would bring him to witness the birth of his child. The nurse dialed several times, but it went to voicemail. Suddenly, the door burst open. Peter stormed in, his face flushed and his expression urgent. Cerene was nowhere in sight, but his focus was laser sharp on me. “Caro,” he said, his voice demanding and cold, not even asking how I was. “They need a bone marrow donor for Cerene immediately. Her leukemia has taken a turn for the worse after that asthma attack. You’re her twin… you’re the perfect match. We’re doing this now. She needs it more than ever.” I stared at him in shock. He wasn't here for me....Even at my worst.....then another contraction ripping through me as the doctors surrounded me, but they seemed more scared of Peter than anything else. They all trembled with fear as he commanded the room. Peter stood there, not with concern for me or our unborn child, but with the coldness of a man determined to save the woman he truly cared for. “If you all want to keep your jobs, do as I say. Get that bone marrow and make sure my baby is safe too.“ Peter's voice echoed through the room.