The second listed medical requirements. The third contained an appointment date. I looked at her. You already scheduled this? It's only a consultation with the fertility clinic.
She nodded without telling me. I knew you'd react. I put the papers down. Anna, listen carefully. If you go through with this behind my back, you're making a decision about our marriage, too.
She looked at me for several seconds. You'd really leave me over this. I'd leave because you ignored me on something that affects both of us. She wiped her eyes. Clare is my sister and I'm your husband.
She said nothing. I walked away before the argument could turn into something worse. I thought that conversation had finally made the boundary clear. I was wrong. three days later, Anna told me she needed to travel to Portland for a work project. It was supposed to be a short trip.
Two nights, she packed a small suitcase and left Saturday morning. Before closing the trunk, she kissed me. I'll call you tonight. I nodded. Drive safe.
She smiled. Then she got into the car and drove away. I watched until she disappeared around the corner. That afternoon, I received an email from our shared travel account. It was a booking confirmation, not for Portland, for San Diego.
And the reservation wasn't for two nights. It was for eight. The hotel name was attached to a fertility clinic I had never heard of. I stared at the screen for several seconds. Then I called Anna.
She answered after four rings. Hey, where are you? Silence. Then she said quietly, "San Diego. " That was when I knew the consultation had never been the real plan. I kept the phone against my ear.
Why are you in San Diego? Anna didn't answer immediately. Then she said, "I was going to tell you when. " "I don't know. Before or after the procedure? " Silence. My stomach dropped.
What procedure? Larry, please. What procedure? She exhaled. The embryo transfer.
I closed my eyes for a few seconds. I didn't say anything. I had expected an argument. I had expected another excuse. I hadn't expected her to admit it that easily.
You went through with it. I came here to talk to the doctor first. That's not what I asked. She started crying. I couldn't keep waiting.
You lied to me about where you were going. I knew you'd stop me. I told you I wouldn't agree. I know. And you went anyway.
I had to help Clare. I laughed once, but there was nothing funny about it. No, Anna, you wanted to help Clare, and you decided my opinion didn't matter. She became quiet. I asked, "Who's with you? " Clare and Gregory.
Another pause. Yes. That answer hurt more than I expected. Not because Gregory was involved in the medical process, because Anna had deliberately put herself in a situation where the three of them were making decisions about a pregnancy while I was hundreds of miles away, believing she was on a work trip. How long have you planned this?
Not that long. Don't lie to me again. She started crying harder. Several weeks. I looked at the kitchen counter.