The Last Time I Loved Him (Autumn and Ryan)
Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Before entering, I put on disposable shoe covers.

From the living room to the bathroom, clothes were scattered everywhere.

A woman's sultry voice came from the balcony.

"Baby, can we go to your bedroom next? I want to do it in front of your wedding photos."

Through the wind-blown curtains, I could make out two naked figures entwined.

"No, the sheets are new. She'll notice if she comes back tomorrow."

"But I want to... I want to do it on your bed..."

Her words were cut off by his kiss.

Seeing they weren't coming in yet, I went straight to the bedroom to pack

Steam filled the bathroom, rose petals floating in the tub, suspicious marks on the sink and

mirror.

In the walk-in closet, dresser drawers hung open, lingerie scattered about.

Nausea welled up inside me.

I put on gloves, retrieved my documents, and disinfected them.

As I was sanitizing things, the two finally came inside.

Even in late fall, they'd stayed out there quite a while.

Under the bright lights, Ryan walked in carrying Emma. When they saw me, he stumbled back in disbelief. Emma shrieked, scrambling to hide in Ryan's arms. The

H

Chapter 7

Ryan and I stared at each other across the space.

His sharply defined features were still the face I'd loved for so many years.

Hair falling carelessly across his forehead, features deep and striking.

But his usually composed expression now showed rare panic.

"Autumn, let me explain.

I ignored him and smiled at Emma: "Using my things, wearing my lingerie, sleeping with

my husband aren't you just trash?"

She hid her face behind her hair, curled up in Ryan's arms, trembling.

Ryan's face went ash-white: "Autumn, I'm sorry... she's young, it's my fault."

I looked him up and down, unable to hold back a sneer:

"Ryan, have some dignity."

Ignoring his face cycling through white, blue and red, I threw the prenatal exam papers at him and turned to leave.