Anthony had a whole baby behind Amber's back and he's worried about etiquette.

Anthony had a whole baby behind Amber's back

"The Audacity of Anthony"

Amber stood in the middle of their apartment, arms crossed, her heart pounding so hard she could hear it in her ears. She couldn’t believe the words that had just left Anthony’s mouth.

"So, you’re telling me you had a whole baby with another woman… and you’re worried about etiquette?"

Anthony shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, Amber, I know this is a shock, but I just think we should handle this maturely."

Amber let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "Maturely? Maturely?! You mean like how you handled creeping around, lying to me, and playing daddy to some secret baby while we were together?"

Anthony sighed, putting his hands up in defense. "I didn’t plan for this to happen."

Amber’s eyes darkened. "Oh, so the baby just magically appeared? You tripped and fell into some woman’s bed and BAM—now you got a whole-ass child?"

"Amber, come on—"

"Don't 'Amber, come on' me, Anthony!" she snapped, stepping closer. "You really stood here, night after night, looking me in the eye, telling me you loved me, while you had a damn baby out there?!"

Anthony exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. "I wasn’t ready to tell you. I didn’t know how."

Amber stared at him, disbelief washing over her like a tidal wave. "So, let me get this straight. You weren’t ‘ready’ to tell me, but you were ready to make a baby? You were ready to show up at the hospital for another woman? Ready to hold that child, while I was at home thinking you were the man I could trust?"

Anthony opened his mouth but shut it immediately. What could he say? He had no defense.

Amber scoffed, pacing back and forth. Her hands were shaking, her body vibrating with anger.

And then she stopped.

Her voice was quieter this time, but the pain in it was unmistakable. "Do you love her?"

Anthony’s head snapped up. "What?"

Amber swallowed hard. "The baby’s mother. Do you love her?"

Anthony hesitated for a fraction of a second—just enough for Amber to get her answer.

She laughed dryly. "Wow."

"It’s not like that," Anthony rushed out. "She and I… it was a mistake. But the baby—he’s innocent in all this."

Amber’s face twisted with disgust. "Oh, now you wanna talk about innocence? Where was all this consideration when you were out doing dirt? Where was this ‘let’s do the right thing’ attitude when you were lying to my face every day?"

Anthony’s shoulders sagged. "I messed up."

"Messing up is forgetting an anniversary," Amber shot back. "Messing up is leaving the toilet seat up. You? You betrayed me. You built a whole separate life behind my back. And now, you’re standing here talking about etiquette like you deserve some damn respect?"

Anthony pinched the bridge of his nose, frustration seeping into his voice. "Amber, I know I was wrong. But can we just—"

"Shut yo' azz up, Anthony!"

His mouth snapped shut.

Amber took a deep breath, pressing her fingers against her temple. "You really have the audacity to think we can sit here and have a civil conversation about this. Like I’m just supposed to nod my head, shake hands with your side chick, and help pick out baby clothes like I’m some damn stepmother?!"

"That’s not what I’m asking—"

"Oh, so what are you asking? You wanna be friends? You want me to smile and pretend like you didn’t break me into a thousand pieces?"

Anthony’s lips parted, but again—nothing came out.

And that silence? That was all Amber needed to hear.

Her voice was eerily calm now. "You don’t respect me."

"Amber, that’s not true—"

"Yes, it is," she cut him off. "Because if you did, this would’ve never happened. If you did, you wouldn’t have been able to sleep at night while I was home thinking you were mine."

Tears burned at the back of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

"I gave you everything," she whispered. "I loved you more than I loved myself. And this? This is how you repay me?"

Anthony’s chest tightened. "I never wanted to hurt you."

Amber let out another dry laugh. "You never wanted to get caught. Big difference."

Silence stretched between them.

Amber exhaled deeply, shaking her head. "I can’t do this, Anthony. I won’t."

His stomach dropped. "Wait, Amber—"

She stepped back, holding up a hand. "You made your choice when you decided to betray me. And now, I’m making mine."

She turned, walking toward the bedroom.

"Amber, please—"

She spun around, eyes blazing. "No. You don’t get to ‘please’ me. You don’t get to ask for another chance. You don’t get to stand here and act like we’re gonna work through this."

She yanked open the closet, grabbing a suitcase and throwing it onto the bed.

"Wait, what are you doing?" Anthony asked, panic rising in his voice.

Amber didn’t answer. She just started throwing her clothes into the suitcase.

"Amber, don’t do this."

She zipped up the suitcase. "I already did."

Tears welled in Anthony’s eyes. "I love you."

Amber froze for half a second—just long enough for him to think he had a chance.

Then she grabbed her keys and walked past him without a second glance.

Just before she stepped out the door, she paused.

Then, without turning around, she spoke.

"I hope the baby’s mother shows you the same loyalty you showed me."

And with that, she was gone.

Anthony stood there, staring at the door, the weight of his mistakes crashing down on him all at once.

For the first time in his life, he realized something.

He had truly lost the best thing he ever had.

---

The End.

Want me to continue with Anthony realizing what he lost and trying to get Amber back? Or do you want Amber to move on and find someone better? Let me know! 👀