After Venus left, Isabella brought her husband’s semen sample, and we did the artificial insemination.I had been following the doctor’s advice. After half a year, I was healthy and fit for conceiving.Fortunately, it worked on the first try itself.Isabella had traveled back and forth between S city and her husband’s place over the past half-year.When the doctor confirmed I was pregnant, she went back again.She seemed to have announced her pregnancy after six weeks. I had done two prenatal checks, and everything was good.She came back when I was already two and a half months pregnant. She did not leave after that.I don’t know the whole story, but her husband’s family was complicated. There was a lot of in-fighting, and people played dirty. She was hiding while her husband was working hard to sort things out to make their home a safe place for them.Isabella had always been a strong, opinionated, and very kind person.She, unfortunately, had complications and couldn’t have a baby
I met John in the library a few weeks after I began to work there. He was always the first person to come in. He was in college and studying diligently.He asked if I could sneak him inside before the opening time as he was trying to get more credits soon and had to study hard.I agreed because he looked like a decent person.He never misplaced the books and always returned them in the same condition, if not better. He was soft-spoken, merry, and funny but not frivolous. Little by little, we started to talk.He would help me arrange the books and clean the library before opening. He said it was to return the favor for sneaking him inside.He was very respectful, which was very new to me. Isabella was more like a friend - I don’t know, our relationship was complicated.But John was different.He never intruded in my private space. He respected the boundary I had in place. I think he only asked my name after we had gotten acquainted for a few weeks.Since he helped me with the work in
John came to the library half an hour before the opening time, later than usual but still early.He had the admission forms with him. We never mentioned the incident again.He helped me fill out the forms, and things went as usual.Three months later, I got admitted to college. John guided me but told me to do everything by myself.Slowly, I got the hang of all the standard procedures of how things go in a college.By then, I had saved up some money for admission fees.I ate and slept in the restaurant. I walked everywhere. I had only spent a little money on clothes and saved everything I had earned in the six months I had been working.I did well in the entrance exam, so I received a scholarship. After everything, I still had some money left.I was thinking of renting a place but wasn’t sure, so I asked John. He said that since the restaurant was paying me well, I was getting free food and accommodation, and the security was good, I shouldn’t leave it and spend my hard-earned money
Our life after marriage was still the same for three weeks.I had no idea that John had been looking for a place for us to rent, suitable for a family and in a good neighborhood so I could go to work and college without any trouble.He created the agreement, asked me to pay half for everything, made sure my name was in every deed, and we had equal ownership of everything we owned.He spent another week decorating the apartment. He celebrated every little thing and did so many things that, now, I think it was cheesy, but at that time, I was always crying. I would feel so touched.We had our first kiss in the living room of that house, three weeks after our marriage on the first-ever home I owned, the first thing we co-owned.I got pregnant three weeks after we had moved into our apartment.I insisted on not skipping any semester because of how easy my first pregnancy was.Al turned out to be a brat instead.Terrible morning sickness, painful cramps, going into labor a week before the
I would have never thought you were my child all along.No wonder we bonded so well.I have lived with the guilt of giving you up for the last 28 years.But, I also know I would do it again if I had a second chance.I am so sorry, Will.I can understand if you never want to forgive me. I can understand if you hate it.But you should know the truth.You were the price for my sister’s life and everything I have today. As much as it hurts me, I would make the same choice.I am sorry.__Aria sobbed in John’s arms after she completed her story.William sat beside her and pulled her in his arms instead.“I don’t hate you. I hate that you had to suffer so much. I hate that I have lived a blissfully carefree life when you have lived in guilt. I hate that I have never given you the love and respect you deserve. I hate that I do not deserve a mother as wonderful as you. But if you let me, it would be my honor to make up for that, to call you my mother.”Aria sobbed harder, listening to him.Al
Rosaline persuaded her grandmother to go on a trip with her, citing that her poor health was due to being cooked up at home.She reluctantly agreed. Eliyana was instantly infuriated seeing Isabella, William, and other people there.“I should have known you could not possibly be dutiful enough to bring me out for a vacation. Did you want to force me to agree to your marriage? Or are you trying to kill me?” She exclaimed before even stepping inside.Rosaline looked at her grandmother and suddenly realized why the only senior person she liked was Tessa’s grandma.“Yeah, you are right. Are you going to sign our marriage agreement as a witness? Or should I throw you in the water? I will just tell mom you drowned. Tess, I think we get those teardrops for eyes, right?”Rosaline asked Tessa nonchalantly.She indifferently looked at her grandmother and walked inside without a care for the old lady.Eliyana was speechless.She had never been close to her granddaughter, but the little brat had
Tessa was the happiest.The ancient woman had emotionally abused Rosy and had even raised her hand on her a fair few times over the years.And she had done so intentionally to inflict pain.Tessa was finally satisfied as she watched Rosy snap back at her.Eliyana felt her heart tremble.The Lina she knew was a docile, polite child who never complained. It was always Maddox who protected her and made her laugh. But the girl in front of her was different. She could not recognize her at all.“You…You…” She stuttered as the curses were stuck in her throat, choking her.Rosaline ignored her. In a soft voice, different from when she was talking to Eliyana, she asked, “Al, where is the marriage agreement?”Albert procured the marriage agreement from his bag and handed it to Rosaline. Rosaline smiled at him, but he knew it was fake.Albert gave his brother a look signaling him to help her, but William did not even notice him. He kept staring at his fiance with eyes full of adoration and a
“Nothing to be sorry about here. You should not have to bear bullying your entire life.” Aria said.“I am so proud of you. You will be one fiery matriarch of the Scott family, just the one needed to keep everyone in their place.” Isabella added.“I am so happy today. I had waited for this moment my whole life.” Tessa hugged Rosy tightly.“Good job, my Rosy. I am so proud of you. My little girl has grown up.”They all laughed as William scowled. He separated his fiance from her best friend’s grip and wrapped her in his arms instead.Rosaline coughed to hide her blush.“If anyone heard us now, they would think we like to abuse old people.” Rosaline sighed.“Let’s get some rest first. I will cook dinner tonight. Tell me if you prefer anything, and we’ll get the ingredients. We will have to hit the mart later.”Tessa’s eyes lit up hearing her words.“Sweet and sour pork ribs, fried sweet potato, cheesy fish filets...” William interrupted her before she could go on. “One dish each. That’