Our baby

**Dimitri**

I watched Angel leave, a mixture of emotions swirling within me. The encounter had been intense, and it had only confirmed what I already knew – I couldn't let her go. But I also knew that I needed to be careful, for the sake of our children and the stability of our lives.

Returning to my study, I couldn't help but think about our future. Angel had always been a part of me, and no matter how much I tried to deny it, I couldn't imagine a life without her. But there was also Haizel to consider, and the complicated dynamics between us all.

I knew I needed to talk to Haizel, to address the situation and find a way forward. The following morning, I found her in the garden, tending to the flowers. She looked up as I approached, a hint of surprise in her eyes.

"Dimitri, is everything okay?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

I took a deep breath, knowing this conversation was long overdue. "Haizel, we need to talk about us, about everything that's been happening."

She nodded, setting down her gardening tools. "I agree. There's a lot we need to discuss."

We sat down on a nearby bench, the morning sun casting a warm glow over the garden. I looked at Haizel, seeing the worry etched on her face. "Haizel, I know things have been difficult between us, and I want to be honest with you. Angel and I... we have unresolved feelings, and it's been affecting everything."

Haizel's eyes widened slightly, but she remained composed. "I had a feeling. I've seen the way you look at her."

"I'm sorry, Haizel. I never meant for things to get so complicated," I said, my voice heavy with regret.

She placed a hand on mine, her touch gentle. "Dimitri, we've both made mistakes. But we need to figure out what we want, for ourselves and for our children."

I nodded, grateful for her understanding. "You're right. We need to find a way to move forward, whatever that may be."

As we talked, I felt a sense of relief. It was clear that our relationship would never be the same, but there was a chance for healing and growth. For the first time in a long while, I felt hopeful about the future.

Later that evening, I found myself pacing in my study, trying to gather my thoughts. I knew what needed to be done, but it wasn't going to be easy. I couldn't let things continue as they were. It wasn't fair to Haizel, to Angel, or to myself.

Taking a deep breath, I went to find Haizel again. She was in our bedroom, sitting on the edge of the bed, her eyes distant. She looked up as I entered, her expression guarded.

"Haizel, we need to talk," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

She nodded, her eyes never leaving mine. "I had a feeling this was coming."

I sat down beside her, taking her hands in mine. "Haizel, I've been thinking a lot about everything. About us, about Angel, about our children. And I can't keep living this lie. We both deserve to be happy, truly happy."

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she remained silent, waiting for me to continue.

"I think we need to end this," I said, my heart heavy with the weight of my words. "It's not fair to either of us to keep pretending. I want us both to have a chance at real happiness."

Haizel's grip on my hands tightened, her knuckles turning white. "Dimitri, please. We can't just end this. Think about the baby. Our baby."

I closed my eyes, feeling the sting of her words. "I have thought about the baby, Haizel. And I will always be there for our child. But staying together for the sake of the baby isn't the answer. It's not healthy for any of us. It's not healthy for any of us to live in a relationship that's built on lies and unresolved feelings."

Haizel's tears began to fall, and she shook her head, her voice breaking. "Dimitri, please. I can't do this alone. I need you. The baby needs you."

My resolve wavered as I saw the depth of her pain. Despite everything, a part of me still cared deeply for Haizel and the life we had built together. I reached out, gently wiping away her tears. "Haizel, I will always be here for you and our baby. I promise you that. But we need to be honest with ourselves. This isn't working."

She took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to regain her composure. "I know you're right. But it's so hard to let go."

I nodded, understanding the truth in her words. "It is hard. But we can't keep holding onto something that's not real. We need to find a way to move forward, even if it's apart."

For a moment, we sat in silence, both of us absorbing the gravity of the situation. Finally, Haizel spoke, her voice soft and resigned. "I understand, Dimitri. I don't want to keep you in a relationship where you're not happy. But please, let's take it slow. For the sake of the baby."

I agreed, knowing that it was the best course of action for now. "We'll take it one step at a time, Haizel. We'll figure this out together."

As I left the room, I couldn't shake the feeling of guilt and sadness that lingered in my heart. Ending things with Haizel was the right thing to do, but it didn't make it any easier. The reality of our situation weighed heavily on me, and I knew that the road ahead would be difficult for all of us.