13: Invite To The Gender Reveal
Party.
As soon as I stepped off the plane, I made my way straight to the hospital. My heart raced with anticipation and anxiety as I entered the familiar halls. The sterile scent hit me, dragging me back to memories, mom was here.
When I reached my mother’s room, I froze. My father sat beside her, his head bowed, the lines on his face deeper than I remembered. My brother stood near the window, staring out into nothing, his jaw
clenched.
The sight of my broken family ignited a fury deep within me. They‘ d been through so much more than they deserved. And the root of all this pain? Ash and Kate.
As I stood there, my phone buzzed in my pocket. Reluctantly, I pulled it out, only to see a notification from social media. Kate had posted.
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The picture was bright and cheerful, Kate holding her swollen belly while Ash stood beside her, his hand protectively on her bump. The caption read, “Can’t wait to meet our little one! Gender reveal coming
soon.”
I frowned, while they were living in happiness, my family had been left in ruins. They had destroyed so much, and yet here they were, thriving, their lives. seemingly perfect.
The unfairness of it all burned in my chest. How could the world reward them while punishing us? My fists clenched at my
sides, my nails digging into my palms. This wasn‘ t justice.
No, I wasn’t satisfied with this.
I glanced back at my mother, her fragile form lying motionless, and felt my resolve
harden.
The next day, as I made my way to the hospital, I was stopped dead in my tracks
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when I saw her – Kate. She was standing by the entrance, glancing around before walking briskly inside. Before I could think, my legs moved on their own, and I found myself following her.
At first, I thought nothing of it. Perhaps she was here for a routine check–up or visiting someone. But something about the way she walked, the way she seemed so cautious, piqued my curiosity. She stopped in front of a private room, glanced around again, and slipped inside.
I hesitated for a moment before inching closer. The door was slightly ajar, and what I saw made my heart stop. Kate wasn’t here for her son or Ash. She was here for
someone else, the doctor.
They were close, too close. She leaned into him, her hand brushing his arm. They both kissed each other and then he smiled at her
like she was his whole world, leaving me dumbfounded.
My breath caught as I fumbled for my
13: Invite To The Gender Reveal Party.
phone, snapping a few quick pictures without even thinking.
They began talking and I moved in closer as I switched to video.
“I missed you, Kate,” He said with lust in his eyes.
Kate chuckled and they began to make out, leaving me more shocked.
My hand trembled in glee as I stared at the pictures. The evidence was undeniable.
Was Kate having an affair? It was unbelievable, but this was a sure proof.
I retreated to the washroom nearby, splashing cold water on my face. My reflection stared back at me, wide–eyed and flushed. I gripped the sink, my thoughts. spiraling.
What was I supposed to do with this? Post them and finally have my revenge? The thought made me laugh. This was the woman Ash had chosen after throwing me
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aside.
As I stepped out of the washroom, my thoughts still tangled, I froze. I heard voices coming from the room beside me. One of them was unmistakable Ash.
I peeked around the corner, staying out of sight. Ash was standing there, speaking to Seth. He looked somber, almost
remorseful.
“I know I can‘ t undo what happened to Amelia,” Ash said, his voice low. “But I want you to know it was never my intention. I’d give anything to trade. places with her.”
Seth didn’t say anything.
Then, I noticed Kate standing nearby, holding her son in her arms. She looked
radiant, the picture of a perfect wife and mother. I had to stifle a laugh. Just this morning, she was in another man’s arms, and now she played the devoted wife.
Suddenly the shrill sound of an alarm
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pierced through the air, shattering my thoughts and sending my heart into a panic.
Without a second‘ s hesitation, I rushed into my mother’s hospital room, my mind. filled with dread. The sight before me froze my blood.
Her monitors were flashing and making beeping sounds, and my mother‘ s oxygen mask was nowhere on her face. My eyes darted around the room and landed on
Kate’s son playing with the very mask that was supposed to keep my mother alive.
Fury ignited in my chest. I lunged forward, snatching the mask from his tiny hands. and hurriedly securing it back onto my mother’s face. My hands trembled as I adjusted it, ensuring it fit perfectly. Then I turned, glaring at the boy who now sat on the bed.
I picked him up carefully but firmly and placed him back on the ground, away from my mother. My heart thundered in my
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chest, the anger clawing its way out of me.
“What is wrong with you people?!” I exploded, my voice shaking.
Ash and Kate rushed in at that moment, their faces etched with confusion. Ash‘ s gaze fell on me, surprise flickering in his eyes. “Astrid…?” he started, but I cut him off.
“Get out!” I snarled, pointing toward the door.
“Astrid, wait,” Ash said, his voice calm, as if he could reason his way out of this.
“He’s just a kid. He doesn’t know any better…”
“That doesn’t matter!” I interrupted, my voice rising. The anger bubbled over, spilling out in waves. “Your ‘child‘ s‘ mistake could have killed my mom! She could have died, Ash!”
I couldn’t hold back anymore. Before I even realized what I was doing, my hand connected with his cheek in a sharp slap.
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The sound echoed in the room, silencing
everyone.
Ash stood there, stunned, holding his cheek. Kate, for once, was speechless.
It was because of Ash that my mother was laying here almost lifelessly, and now, it was because of ‘his son‘ that my mother
almost died.
I gritted my teeth. “Don’t you have a tinge of shame coming here, acting innocent?”
It was him who ruined our family. It was my obsession with him that allowed it to happen.
No more. Now, I just hated him for what he did to us.
I pushed past him, opening the door and gesturing for them to leave. “Get out. You‘ re not welcome here. Not now, not
ever.”
Ash hesitated, as if trying to find the right words, but I didn’t give him the chance.
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“Out! You aren’t welcomed here.” I
shouted, and finally, they left, Kate clutching her son tightly as they exited.
I turned to my mother-
