He Married Her, Then Begged for Me Back

Right after Father's Day dinner at my parents' place, Boris Stephens and I were driving home. I was scrolling through my phone in the passenger seat when a post from a stranger's account stopped me cold.

Got my marriage license with the man I love, but he still has a girlfriend of seven years. How do I break it to her?

In the photo, Boris and Tania stood at the counter in City Hall, grinning like they'd never been happier.

My stomach dropped. I held the phone out to him.

Boris rubbed his brow, exhaling hard. Kate, I was actually going to tell you. I got a marriage license. Tania's a good girlI can't do that to her.

She's a good girl? Then what am I, after seven years with you?

He sighed. You're still my girlfriend. That's not changingnot ever. You're the person closest to me in the world.

We keep things the way they are. What's wrong with that?

A high-pitched ringing filled my ears. The whole world tilted.

Just tonight, my parents, who had never approved of Boris, had finally given us their blessing.

I'd been planning to tell him the good news the moment we got home.

My dad had even circled next week on the calendarpicked the perfect day for us to go to City Hall.

But before I could say a word, I'd already learned that Boris was married.

My eyes burned. I couldn't blink fast enough to keep them clear. Boris reached over the way he always did, gentle, familiar, patting the top of my head.

Kate, I actually overheard your parents tonight, agreeing to the wedding. They want their daughter to be happy. I get it.

But a marriage license is just a piece of paper. Real love is what survives the test of time.

You want a wedding? I'll give you one. You want kids? I'll have them with you. But the license can only go to Tania.

He said it like it was the most natural thing in the world. Like he was deciding what to pick up for dinner.

If his tone hadn't been so sure, I would've thought I'd misheard.

By the time we got back to the apartment I was shaking with rage, tears streaming down my face, and I went straight to the bedroom and started yanking his things off the shelves. I wanted him out.

But the moment I opened the closet, I froze.

A full row of new clothes hung inside. None of them mine.

Bunny-print pajamas. A slinky camisole dress. A white babydoll dress with a Peter Pan collar.

Outfits for every season, summer through winter.

I turned around. The bedding had been swapped out too, everything pink now.

On the nightstand sat a red velvet box, already open. Inside, a two-carat diamond ring glared under the light.

On my own hand was the silver ring Boris had given me three years ago, bought from a street vendor. Dull. Tarnished.

He came running in, out of breath, already explaining

Kate, don't get the wrong idea. I had Tania bring her stuff over today. Her lease is up and she has nowhere to go. She's staying with us for now, just until she finds a new place.

Nausea rolled through me.

No. Absolutely not. Neither you nor your mistress is setting foot in here.

I'd put 0-05,000 down on this apartment. I was the one making the monthly payments. But when we'd signed the papers, it went under Boris's name alone.

He'd told me his parents lived out in the country, that their lifelong dream was for their son to bring honor to the family by owning a home in the city.

He'd told me we'd been together long enough that there was no point keeping score. We were getting married anyway.

That night, he took me to see a fireworks show. The sky lit up in a thousand colors.

Somehow, I'd agreed.

And now here he was, arms wrapped around me, shameless as ever.

Kate, quit being unreasonable. The deed's in my name. Since when does the owner get kicked out of his own house?

The doorbell rang.

Boris smiled and saidTania Finch's here. She's shy, so don't scare her.

I'd assumed he at least wouldn't dare open the door for her in front of me.

But he turned around and did exactly that.

Tania saw me and shrank behind Boris, all wide-eyed timidity.

Boris, if I'm staying here, will Kate be upset?

If she is, I could just go stay at a hotel for a while.

She looked so pitiful when she spoke, so delicate, the kind of helpless that made people want to protect her.

Boris reached for a pair of slippers and crouched down to put them on her feet.

Those slippers were our matching couple's pair.

Apparently not mine anymore.

Boris's phone sat on the living room coffee table.

In his messages, there was one my father had just sent him.

My father had been diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer last month. He didn't have much time left.

Before he died, his greatest wish was to see me married, to know I was happy with Boris.

He'd entrusted me to Boris, asked him to take good care of me.

Boris hadn't seen the message yet. But when Tania walked over, she picked up his phone and glanced at the screen.

I rushed forward to stop her.

Boris grabbed me first.

Kate, what are you doing! I told you not to scare Tania!

Tania's eyes turned red, and she let out a soft, wounded little sob.

I'm sorry, KateI didn't know that was from your father to Boris. I really wasn't trying to look.

I just wanted to use the phone to order some food. I was hungry.

Boris didn't even glance at the message. He just deleted the entire conversation with my father.

It felt like a knife dragged straight through my chest.

I held my hand out to him. Boris, when we first got together, we put both our salaries into a joint account every month. You remember that, right?

My father has late-stage lung cancer now. His treatment costs a fortune. Transfer me half of what's in that account, and then pay me back the down payment and mortgage I put into this apartment. We break up right now. After that, neither of us owes the other a thing.

Boris's face darkened.

Neither of us owes the other a thing? Seven years, Kate. You poured seven years into meseven years of your lifeand you're going to stand there and say we're even?

Oh, I see. You're using your dad being sick as an excuse to get the money back so you can leave me for good. That's what this is, isn't it?

Kate Henson, let me make this clear. I am not letting you go. I love you. I will never let you go.

I'd never met a single person this shameless in my entire life.

If he wouldn't leave, then I would.

I packed my things and realized how little in this apartment actually belonged to me.

Most of what was left were toys and gifts Boris had given me over the years. I didn't want any of them.

On the living room wall hung photos of us traveling together all over the country.

We were so young in those pictures, grinning like we owned the world, promising each other we'd travel the globe when we were old.

As if any of that ever meant what we thought it did.

Tania walked over and touched the face of the girl smiling brightly in the photos. She sighed.

Kate really is beautiful. No wonder you love her so much, Boris. It's all my fault you two are fighting.

I grabbed my suitcase and walked toward the door. Boris didn't come after me. He just stood there, fists clenched.

Kate, I already told you. There's room for both you and Tania in my life. Why won't you just listen?

Do you really want to break your parents' hearts before you're satisfied?

He was the one who'd done everything wrongso why did he make it sound like I was the one who should feel guilty?

When I got home, both my parents looked startled.

But the moment they saw my red, swollen eyes, they didn't ask a single question.

As if by unspoken agreement, from that day on, neither of them ever mentioned Boris again.

Boris and I had been college classmates.

After graduation, he confessed his feelings.

I didn't say yes at first.

Six feet tall, good-looking in that sunny, effortless way, with girls constantly circling him. Exactly the type that made me feel the least secure.

Besides, we weren't close. I barely knew him.

My rejection didn't stop him.

He went through the interview process and landed a job at the same company where I worked.

He'd cook his specialty sweet-and-sour ribs and braised pork, pack them into a lunch box, and bring it to me every day.

He found out I liked Wang's Desserts and mango cake, and every evening after work he'd go out of his way to pick them up and bring them to my place. Never once complained about the extra trip.

No matter how busy he was, he'd always show up early to drive me to and from the office so I'd never get caught in the rain or the wind.

Whenever we walked together, he kept me on the inside of the sidewalk, shielding me, like he was terrified I'd bump into something or trip.

He turned down work dinners and nights out with friends on a regular basis. Any free moment he had, he spent walking with me, shopping with me, talking with me.

My feelings were always what he put first, ahead of everything.

He was meticulous like that, always looking after me.

He'd reach for my bag and anything heavy before I could, brush branches out of my way when we walked.

Even during my period, he'd remind me what not to eat, and quietly have heating pads and brown-sugar tea ready.

Three full years of this, and I'll admit it: he got to me.

I finally said yes.

That day, he was grinning like a kid. He lifted me off the ground and spun me around and around, then pressed a kiss to my cheek.

I thought we'd be together for the rest of our lives.

I never thought he didn't just want to spend that life with me. He wanted to spend it with another woman, too.

I wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes. The next morning I walked into the office like nothing had happened.

Boris passed by my desk with Tania trailing shyly behind him.

Everyone, a quick introduction. Tania Finch, new to the company, and also my wife.

A few nosy coworkers immediately started whooping.

Boris, you kept that quiet! When did you two get your marriage license? How come none of us knew?

Tania gave his chest a coy little punch.

Stop it! You promised you wouldn't tell anyone. Now I'm all embarrassed.

She smiled, all sweet satisfaction, her gaze sliding to me first before drifting across the room.

Everyone, don't be shyBoris says you should all come over to our place for dinner tonight. Here, let me hand out the wedding favors first.

Boris was beaming. He held Tania's hand and passed candy to every person at every desk.

That was when the coworker sitting next to me suddenly spoke up

Kate, didn't you and Boris date for seven years? How did he end up with Tania out of nowhere? And already married? That's so sudden.

The moment the words left her mouth, the entire floor went silent.

The smile froze on Tania's face, and she started whimpering, tears already spilling.

Boris looked like his eyes were about to fall out of his head from the heartache.

Without a word to anyone else, he stormed over to my desk and slammed the box of candy down in front of me.

Kate Henson, this is a workplace, not your home. Can you rein it in a little? Stop being so childish.

Stirring people up to freeze Tania outis that fun for you?

I almost laughed. I stood up and shoved him back a step.

I haven't said a single word this entire time. You're the one with a guilty conscience, so you're the one afraid of questions.

Tania's tears spilled down her cheeks as she gently clutched the edge of his sleeve.

Boris, just let it go. I'm fine, really.

I know Kate must be upset about us getting married. If she needs to vent, she can yell at me all she wants.

Then she suddenly doubled over, hand clamped over her mouth, dry-heaving.

I feel so sick, BorisI think I'm going to throw up.

The room erupted again.

Wait, is Tania pregnant? Married and pregnant already? That's a lot to unpack. Our boy Boris sure moves fast.

Don't just make stuff up. Maybe Boris and Kate broke up ages ago and he's been with Tania this whole time. They just hadn't gone public. What, people aren't allowed to be with the person they love?

Whispers flew in every direction. Boris pulled Tania into his arms, face tight with worry.

I didn't bother watching their little performance. I just said it flat out

Boris, be a man and pay me back.

We're done, so let's settle up. The down payment was forty thousand. Monthly mortgage payments add up to another thirty. Plus the seventy thousand in our joint account. That's a hundred and forty thousand dollars. Transfer it and we're finished. After that, I don't care who you're with.

Boris panicked.

Kate, do you have to be so petty about everything? We were practically family. Do we really need to split yours and mine?

Yes. I'm going to split every last cent. And after this, I never want anything to do with you again.

If you won't pay up, don't blame me for taking it to court. I've got every receipt, every record. All of it.

Tania, still wrapped in his arms, glanced at me and cried harder.

The circus was over. I turned and walked to the break room to make coffee.

At some point, Tania followed me in.

She held out a piece of paper, hands trembling.

Kate, don't listen to what those people were saying. I'm not actually pregnant.

I glanced at the ultrasound printout in her hand. The result line readNot pregnant.

I didn't take it.

I just kept stirring my coffee, letting her talk.

She sniffled, small and pitiful.

Kate, I didn't mean to steal Boris from you.

We're from the same hometown. We grew up next door to each other. That night at the bar, he mistook me for you and took me straight back to your place.

I'd just been through a breakup and wanted to forget, so I didn't stop him. You were working late that night. He slept with me, and I couldn't push him away because I realized I'd been in love with him for a long time. Andit was my first time.

He treasured me, felt sorry for me. He told me I was kind, sweet, innocent, just like you were when you were younger. He said he'd take responsibility. Give me a real family.

My parents died when I was little. Boris is the only person who's ever been truly good to me. So you'll let me stay with him, right?

I stared at her coldly and said nothing.

Only now could I see I'd trusted the wrong person.

But none of that mattered anymore.

All I wanted was my money back so I could pay for my father's treatment.

Then Tania screamed.

She crumpled to the floor, clutching her stomach, wailing.

Blood was running down her legs, and it wouldn't stop.

Help me! Kate, why would you do this to me!

Boris was the first one through the door, a pack of coworkers crowding in behind him.

Before I could even process what was happening, he swung his hand at my face. I jerked back just in time.

His teeth were clenched, shaking with rage. Kate, how can you be this vicious! She's pregnant and you pushed her!

The break room exploded into chaos.

Someone shouted to call an ambulance.

Someone else grabbed my arm, dragging me along to the hospital to make me explain myself to Tania.

At the hospital, the doctor confirmed there was no sign of pregnancy. None at all.

Boris stood frozen, like he'd been hit over the head.

Kate, why would you do this to me?

I know what I did to you was wrongbut why would you go after Tania and my baby!

I held up the ultrasound report I'd just picked up off the break room floor and shoved it at him.

Don't you dare pin this on me. Tania was never pregnant. She's the one who showed me this.

But Boris pulled a different ultrasound report from inside his jacket.

You'd go this far to hurt her? You're out of your mind. I took her to the prenatal checkup myself. She was pregnant. Eight weeks.

You killed my child. I'm not giving you a cent for your father's treatment.

I want you to know what it feels like to lose family.

Every single colleague in the room looked at me with disgust, as though I were a murderer.

Even the company chairman frowned.

Kate, you seem emotionally unstable right now. I think it's best you don't come into the office for the time being. Go home and rest.

As for your position, I'll have someone else fill in.

The meaning underneath was clear: he wanted me gone.

That was when my mother called.

Her voice came through the receiver shaking and panicked, half-choked with tears.

Kate, get to the hospital now. Your father can't breathe, his oxygen is droppingthe doctor says he needs emergency surgery right now. They have to stop the bleeding, open up the blockageif we wait any longer he could die any minute. We can't wait.

Okay, Mom, try to stay calm. How much does the surgery cost?

She choked out the wordsThe doctor says about fifteen thousand. Your father and I lost everything in the stock market. Haven't you saved up some money over the years? Bring it now. Any later and it'll be too late.

I turned and planted myself in front of Boris.

My father is in critical condition and needs surgery. Give me back my money. Now.

He stared at me, eyes full of hate.

Good. Let him die. Once you've lost him, maybe you'll finally know your place and stop going against me.

People like you don't learn until you've suffered. You'll never obey otherwise.

Shock and fury tore through me at once.

Boris, have you lost your mind?! Give me the money!

But he locked the hospital room door and stayed at Tania's bedside, holding her hand.

By the time I scraped together enough money and rushed to the cancer hospital, I was too late.

My father lay on the bed, his face drained white, barely breathing.

My mother was slumped over the edge of his bed, sobbing so hard she couldn't speak.

Meanwhile, at the OB-GYN hospital, Boris had just filled a thermos with hot water when he ran into the doctor who'd been treating Tania.

The doctor smiled at him. Mr. Stephens, your wife's irregular periodsthat's something I can help with. No need to worry too much.

She bled quite a bit this time around, but once the IV and medication kick in she'll be fine.

Boris went rigid.

You're saying the heavy bleeding was because she was on her period?

Then what about the baby?

The doctor looked confused.

Mr. Stephens, are you joking? Ms. Finch has been coming to this hospital for checkups for a while now. I've reviewed her past reports. She has never been pregnant.