Where the Streets Have No Name
Chapter 46
Carmen was emotionally unstable.
Something she had deliberately hid from him out of shame and fear of rejection.
She was chemically dependent on at least two pharmaceuticals that were known to have harmful effects on the fetus.
Edward was overwhelmed by the new found knowledge about his wife. He could only hope that what she had told him was, in fact, the full account of the story. He had no way of knowing for sure. Who knew what other skeletons she was hiding in her closet?
On top of having to process all this, his mind was overwrought with worries for their unborn daughter.
Carmen didn't want the baby. He did. She had repeatedly expressed her doubts and uncertainties over the pregnancy. Perhaps she had lied by omission regarding her illness, but she didn't conceal from him how unprepared she felt about being a parent. It was he who had overlooked her concerns time and time again. Or in the very least, interpreted them the way that suited his worldview.
Carmen tried to tell him. He didn't listen.
Instead, he saw what he wanted to see.
Essentially, he had done exactly what his father had accused him of.
He used guilt to pressure Carmen into making a decision that was right in his eyes.
He cornered her into choosing a life neither of them wanted, and to have a baby she was not prepared to have.
He did ruin her life. Quite possibly both of their lives.
Edward didn't know if he could ever atone for his mistakes, but he knew he couldn't afford to give up trying. If not for himself or Carmen, then for his daughter - the only blameless victim of the calamity that was his life.
Thank you Lulabelle98, HeidiJoVT, and Dinx.