Chapter 1

"Amelia, please, be willing to marry and have a baby for my husband."

Amelia blinked repeatedly. Honestly, she was confused by such a strange request.

"Flora, what do you mean?"

"Please, be my husband's second wife and give him children."

Amelia shook her head in disbelief. They hadn't seen each other in a long time, and suddenly her friend contacted her, asking to meet at a restaurant, supposedly to catch up. It turned out there was another reason for this meeting. Flora suddenly asked her to become her husband's second wife.

"I know you used to like and love Ethan, right? You two even had a serious relationship." Flora spoke softly but confidently. "You stepped back so I could get close to him. That's why I feel you're the only one who deserves to be his second wife."

Amelia winced. What Flora said was true. They both used to like Ethan Reed, the handsome guy from the medical faculty who was the target of many women during their college days. The man who is now Flora's husband, her own friend.

For the sake of their friendship, Amelia sacrificed her feelings. She chose to step back and even tried to bury her deep love so Flora could approach the man they both loved.

"Flora... Honestly, I did like and love Ethan back then. But that doesn't mean I want to be his second wife now. Don't be ridiculous!" she flatly refused.

Flora immediately grabbed Amelia's wrist. With a pleading expression, she spoke softly, trying to gain her friend's sympathy.

"Amelia, I can't have children. And Ethan has always wanted many children in our little family."

Amelia's eyes widened sharply. "So what does that have to do with me?" She immediately brushed off Flora's hand.

"You're the only one who deserves to be Ethan's wife," Flora muttered. "I know your family and your character well. And so does Ethan; he knows you well. We all come from the same social status, so I don't have to worry. I'm sure Ethan can be fair to both of us."

Amelia was stunned. Her friend was speaking so casually about something so outrageous. She had never in her life thought, let alone dreamed, of becoming another man's wife, especially the husband of her own friend.

"No, I don't want to! I have no interest in becoming a third wheel in your marriage. I just don't want to!"

Flora sighed softly, thinking hard about how to convince her friend. She couldn't give up. She had to get what she had long wanted. Out of all the criteria, only Amelia fit to be her husband's companion.

"For God's sake, Amelia. I'm begging for your help. Or, if you don't want to be bound by this marriage for long, just until you get pregnant and give birth to Ethan's child. After that, you can decide whether to stay as his wife or separate. Please help me."

"You can find another woman, Flora. Not me."

"I would feel more at ease if you were Ethan's wife," Flora spoke softly again.

Meanwhile, Amelia stood firm in her decision. She kept shaking her head as a sign of rejection of her friend's outrageous request.

However, instead of giving up, Flora stood up from where she was sitting. Amelia thought she was leaving, but no. Her friend moved closer, deliberately kneeling down and begging.

"I won't get up until you accept my request."

Amelia's eyes widened again, shocked by Flora's actions. Everyone in the restaurant started whispering, watching the scene between her and Flora.

"Flora, people are watching!"

Flora didn't care. She continued her act. "Please, Amelia..." She kept begging, even starting to sob. Amelia could see her friend's tears streaming down her smooth cheeks.

So what should she do now? Accept Flora's request just like that? No way! Why was God playing such a joke on her life? After struggling so hard to forget Ethan, why did she have to deal with this again?

Amelia was silent for a moment, maybe weighing the right answer to give. She prayed in her heart that her decision wouldn't harm either party. Then, after a while, she spoke again.

"Alright ... I'll accept your request, but on the condition that Ethan himself comes to my house and proposes directly to my parents. If Ethan can convince my parents, I promise I will follow through with your request."

Flora smiled. Nodding happily, she responded to Amelia's condition.

"I will make sure Ethan proposes to you soon. I believe he can convince your parents. Just wait for us to come to your house. But before the proposal, can I ask you for one more favor?"

"What favor?"

"First of all, I'm sorry, and please don't take offense. I want you to come with me to an OB-GYN to check your uterus."

Amelia sighed deeply and then exhaled slowly. The beautiful woman chose to nod afterward.

"Alright, I will follow through with this request of yours."

***

"What is this, Honey?"

Ethan stared intently at a folder just handed to him by Flora, his wife. The beautiful woman nudged her chin, signaling for her husband to open and check the contents himself.

"The OB-GYN's diagnosis?" Ethan asked again. "But what for?" he repeated.

Flora took a deep breath. With a glowing face, she looked impatient to explain the happy news to her husband.

"I have found a suitable prospective wife. And these are her medical examination results. She's healthy and ready to bear your children. Ah ... no ... no," she quickly corrected herself. "Our children, I mean."

"What?!"

Ethan immediately looked up. He shook his head repeatedly. Honestly, he was really shocked to hear what his wife had just said.

"We agreed not to discuss this again, Flora. I have repeatedly told you. I don't want to marry again just to have children."

Flora sighed once again. She realized her actions would surely stir up her husband's emotions as they had before. But she couldn't give up just like that. Her long-standing desire had to be fulfilled. Flora had longed for a baby in their home for so long.

"But I want to hold a child, Ethan. I also want you to have descendants ---"

"Stop, Flora!" Ethan interrupted. "You can ask me for anything, but not to marry another woman. I don't want to!"

Ethan's voice grew louder. Like a thunderous roar, it deafened the ears. This made Flora inevitably cry.

Having an abnormal uterus condition made the beautiful and sexy woman have to give up her uterus to be removed. This was also the reason she couldn't give her husband descendants. Even though he had wanted many children in their household since before they got married.

Out of deep love, Flora decided to find her husband a replacement wife. And Amelia was the woman she chose. Flora hoped her friend would give many children to complete their small family. She didn't mind having to share her husband.

"I'm sorry ..." Ethan whispered as he hugged his wife's body. "But I really can't marry another woman. I only love you, Flora. Only you!"

In Ethan's embrace, Flora sobbed. It took several minutes before she spoke again.

"This is the only way we can have children, honey. Besides, you already know your prospective new wife."

Ethan loosened his hug. Making sure of what he had just heard.

"Know? What do you mean?"

"Yes ..." Flora nodded. "I met Amelia. And she's willing to be the wife who bears your child."

"Amelia?" Ethan repeated with a very shocked expression. The name Flora just mentioned was indeed familiar to his ears.

"Yes, you know her, right? She was your ex-girlfriend in college."

"But, Flora—"

"Ethan ..." Flora interrupted. "I beg you. In all the time we've known each other, I've never asked for anything from you. So this time, please fulfill my request."

Ethan fell silent. How could he give an answer just like that? Moreover, this was about a life partner. The idea of living in a polygamous marriage had never crossed his mind. So, what should he do now? Stick to his principles? Or fulfill his beloved wife's request?