I was at work when I got a call from the hospital. They said my wife was hospitalized. Shocked, I went there as fast as I could, and I forgot to take the day off.The doctor looked at me sternly. "What are you doing? The first trimester is always the risky one, and you guys didn't even hold back on doing the deed. Do you know what you've done? The girl's had a lot of abortions. Her body's already used to this procedure by now. It'll be hard to get a child now."My mind was buzzing. Still refusing to accept the truth, I asked, "Doctor, are you sure that's right? This is our first baby. She can't have done that… a lot of times. I've never slept with her since she got pregnant. This can't be…"I couldn't finish the sentence. I knew the story. I had fallen in love with my wife the moment I saw her. I had resources and was willing to provide for her, so we got hitched after getting our parents' blessings. I took her first night, or so I thought, since I noticed the crimson patch on the s
The ward's door creaked open, and my in-laws came rushing in. I had taken snapshots of the chat history and saved it, and I put her phone back in its spot.My mother-in-law grabbed my collar and thumped my chest, cursing, "Give me my daughter back! She just got pregnant! Why couldn't you just control yourself, you animal?"Her husband stopped her and took me out to the corridor. Solemnly, he said, "George, I know you're young and lively, but Queenie's my daughter, and I cherish her very much. You can't just abuse her like this. We're all very angry at you. How are you going to make it up to us?"He proposed, "How about you get Jack a car? About 500 thousand or so should be enough. We'll let this slide if you do that."Jack was my wife's brother. He had graduated trade school for years but had been leeching off his parents. I sneered. Ever since I married my wife, her family kept coming up with excuses to leech off me instead.They asked me to get them the latest electronics, the n
I got out of bed quietly and took her phone from the bedside table. Then, I tiptoed to the study. I used my PC and synced her chat to the cloud. Though I was prepared for this, seeing her sexting someone else still made me go numb, and my heart grew cold.'God, you blew my mind.''Mm, you too, baby.''Blood's always exciting when we do it. Man, I wish I could do you more, but you're in recovery. Crap, I just thought of what happened, and I got hard again. Next time you're on your period, let's try another position.''You meanie. I can't believe you'd do me when I'm in recovery. I could die, you know. Oh, but it felt good doing it with you. Really good. Wait for me, okay? We'll meet up when I've recovered.''Days, huh? I can wait, but something else can't.'Following that message was a photo. The light was dim, but I knew what it was, and it was standing tall. I clenched my fists, shivering in rage. I wanted to drag that woman out of bed, but I forced myself to stay calm. I told m
I didn't reply to any of her messages and happily pulled out the SIM card. Well, guess Howard could say goodbye to his cheating life. This was just the start. I had more surprises in store for him. My wife's mood took a sour turn for the next few days.Even after recovery, all she did was stay at home, though she looked obviously out of it. It wasn't a surprise. She had been looking forward to another affair session after recovery, but she was stood up. She had even happily shaved and went through her skincare routine the night before in preparation for her date.I pretended to know nothing about it and asked while looking at her, "Oh, not going out with friends today?""Yeah. Not feeling it.""Did you get into a fight, or did they find another date?"My wife choked on her words for a moment. In a fit of embarrassment, she snapped, "I just didn't feel like it. Don't you be sarcastic with me!" She stormed into the bedroom before I could say anything.I saw my dejected wife off. Ev
I played dumb. "But it's true. You do often go for acupuncture. It's alternative medicine, isn't it? I don't know anything about it, but you do."Queenie went red, and she pouted. "Acupuncture is just physiotherapy at the end of the day. It helps with muscle stiffness, but modern medicine is better for things like coughing."I nodded in fake understanding. However, I knew she was just mad because I brought up her scandal. She had never dared take her parents to the 'doctor.' That kind of acupuncture would be far too much for them.Food was served, and everyone tossed the earlier conversation aside. My father-in-law scarfed down the food like he had been starving for a month. I didn't feel like eating, though the food was certainly delicious, so I smoked instead.Once they were done, they wiped the grease off their lips and cut to the chase. "George, my son got himself a girlfriend, and he's going to get married. The girl wants a matrimonial house and thirty grand in the bridewealth
"But I thought you said no.""I said no because I'm not close enough to my friend that he'd just give me a car for free. We have to pay for it."My father-in-law quickly grabbed my hand. Gratefully, he said, "So you're going to pay for the car, George?"Dismayed, my wife muttered, "Where are we going to get the money?""We'll book the car. I just snagged a new deal. When I get the money, we can afford a house and a car."Queenie was stunned, and she looked at me like I was a stranger. There was worship in her eyes, and they sparkled. "I didn't think you'd pay for it in full…""We're family. Family helps each other." I smiled gently at her, but there was only ice-cold calmness within me."Yeah, Queenie. Grow up a little. Look at George. He's going to pay for the car. You aren't going to stop him, are you?" My mother-in-law rolled her eyes.Queenie quickly put her arms around my shoulders and came closer for a kiss. Cloyingly, she said, "You're the best, honey."I patted her hea
"Do you know what you're talking about, boy?" my father-in-law chided.Jack paused for a moment. "Look, I can wait, but Luna won't. If I don't get a house, she'll abort the baby!""What? How dare she?" my mother-in-law snapped, but she calmed down and turned to me. "So, when's the money coming, George?"I put out the cigarette and tossed it into the ashtray. Smiling, I said, "Within the month. Won't be too long."My in-laws heaved a collective sigh of relief and stopped arguing about Jack's loan. Thanks to me, my 'banker friend' showed up soon enough. He said Jack's name alone wasn't enough for the loan. He needed some guarantors. I convinced his sister and parents to take up that role.I had my 'banker friend' to thank for approving the loan on the same day. A while later, Jack found himself 500 thousand dollars richer, and he and his family were overjoyed. Naturally, they had never seen so much money in their lives before.The salesperson sweet-talked them, and they paid for th
My father-in-law was grinning ear to ear, and he patted my shoulder. "I knew you were a great man, George. When the upstarts tried to take Queenie's hand in marriage, I convinced my wife that they're not better than you. You're educated, well-mannered, and nice to Queenie. Good to know my choice is still the right one."I hid the mockery in my eyes. "You flatter me.""I told you George was great," Jack said. The family was trying to take credit for marrying Queenie off to me, while the woman in question was looking at me like a maiden in love. I was smiling, but my heart was cold and dead.'Laugh while you can. When the bubble of your dream pops, you'll be crying,' I thought.That night, Queenie presented herself in a sexy nightgown. The old me would have taken her as hard as I could, but all I could think of right now was the disgusting chat history, and I felt nothing but scorn for her.I excused myself and locked myself in the study, citing that I had work to do. Queenie was di