Obsession With My EX-wife

Chapter 22: Leonard Grovels

After a minute, Catherine began to laugh, and once she got started, she couldn't stop, and the more she laughed, the angrier Vivian became. "Why are you laughing?!?!!?" Vivian screamed. "Stop it right now!!! And tell me what's so f*****g funny!"

Catherine was laughing so hard that tears were running down her face. "Do you want to know what's funny?" she asked.

"Yes!" Vivian roared.

Catherine waited until she had control of her laughter, and then she said, "Leonard had a vasectomy. He's sterile, you dirty slut. So, if you are pregnant, the baby isn't Leonard's!"

"You lie!" Vivian hissed. "How would you even know?"

"I don't lie," Catherine said. "And he had the vasectomy done at this hospital, so that's how I know! Anyway, why do you think I would lie to you? I already told you that I'm not interested in Leonard. Are you deaf as well as stupid?!?!?"

Vivian's face turned white. From the honest look on Catherine's face, she believed everything that she'd been told.

Catherine smirked. "What's the matter?" she asked. "Cat got your tongue?"

"You… you b-b***h," Vivian stammered. "How dare you talk to me like that?" Vivian spat on the ground, and then she stormed off in a huff.

Catherine laughed as Vivian walked away. Vivian had always seemed so strong, but now Catherine knew that it was all an act. 

Suddenly, Leonard walked around the corner. He had a Cheshire's grin and a playful look in his eyes. "What are you so happy about?" Catherine asked cautiously. If there was anyone who enjoyed taking pleasure at the misery of others, it was Leonard - him and his schadenfreude! 

Leonard laughed and said, "I didn't know that I had a vasectomy!" 

"Never mind what I said," Catherine said. "I was just trying to get Vivian's goat. And it worked, by the way, so maybe you should go take care of your love – and set the record straight."

Leonard did not appreciate Catherine referring to Vivian as his love, but he refused to let his temper get the best of him. So, without missing a beat, he said, "I am always happy to take care of my love, and since you are my love, tell me what you need."

"What are you talking about?" Catherine seethed. "How can I be your love, if Vivian is pregnant with your child?!?!?!"

Leonard sighed and said, "Catherine, can we stay calm and just talk?"

"Of course, we can," Catherine replied. "… so long as we keep it professional. After all, I am your Grandfather's Personal Physician." 

Leonard frowned and hung his head. "That isn't enough," he said. "Why do you continue to punish me? Don't you know that to err is human, but to forgive is divine? Alexander Pope said that. Please give me a chance to make up for my mistakes. I never meant to hurt you!"

There were tears in Catherine's eyes, but she refused to give up on her resolve. She wiped her tears away and said, "I'm sorry, but you hurt me too deeply. There is no way that I could ever trust you again."

"Is this because of that child?" Leonard asked. "I feel ashamed about what happened, and I am sorry. All I am asking for is a second chance… please? I am begging you…"

Catherine thought of the baby, and her head started spinning. She began to feel faint, suddenly, and she looked like she might fall. Leonard moved towards Catherine with his arms outstretched, but she swatted them away. "Don't touch me!" she hissed. "Get away!"

Before Leonard could respond to this sudden outburst, Catherine collapsed. She fell on the ground, and she began to cry. She looked up at Leonard and said, "I always knew that you didn't love me, but the child was innocent. You murdered him, and now you think you can bring him up in casual conversation! What gives you the right?"

Leonard looked at Catherine helplessly. He said, "Let me make it up to you!"

"How can you make it up to me?" Catherine shrieked. "Can you return my baby to me?"

Leonard's heartache was so great that he couldn't even breathe. "We can make another baby," he suggested. "Would you like that?"

Catherine gasped. "No, never! I would never have your baby! I would rather be baren than have your baby, and I would never marry the man that murdered my first baby!"

These words pricked Leonard's heart, and his face turned white. He knew that she was right. Though he hadn't killed the baby directly, he was still to blame. "I have no excuse for what happened," he admitted, "but I cannot live without you. So, what am I to do…?"

Catherine looked at Leonard skeptically and said, "I don't believe you. I trusted you once, and you ruined everything. I am not going to change my mind." Catherine wiped the tears off her face and got to her feet. "I think you should go now."

Leonard's head nodded, and he said, "That's fair."

Catherine watched as Leonard disappeared down the hallway, and then she took a seat in the Waiting Room. She was feeling very emotional at the moment. 

Suddenly, she felt someone's hand on her back. She looked up and was surprised to find Ryan standing above her. His face was expressionless, except for the compassion she saw in his eyes. He smiled and said, "Everything will be alright." 

Catherine was shocked by Ryan's show of kindness, and as he began to rub her shoulders, she said, "Thank you. That feels good."