Tyler Clark sat down across from me, pausing briefly as our eyes met. I held back a bitter smile. “Mr. Clark, are you sure the child is yours?” Tyler’s expression shifted momentarily into shock when he saw me but quickly returned to his usual indifferent demeanor. To the outside world, I was nothing more than a placeholder wife. Just then, Mindy Benson, his childhood friend, noticed something was off. “What’s going on, Tyler? Do you two know each other?”Tyler awkwardly shook his head. “No, we don’t.” With one sentence, he erased my existence as his wife in front of someone else. I swallowed my anger, refusing to make a scene. This wasn’t the first time he had done this. We’d been married for ten years, yet none of his friends knew I even existed. Only his family recognized me as his wife. I took a deep breath and focused on the documents Mindy handed me, sorting through them before handing them back to her. “We’ll need to do a preliminary prenatal exam
It wasn’t until three days after I was hospitalized that Tyler finally arrived from his film set. The severe burns I suffered left permanent damage, including to my uterus. Tyler stayed to take care of me for a week before returning to his production schedule. Overwhelmed with guilt, Rachel moved back to her rural hometown. For the next two years, every time I gently hinted at trying for another child, Tyler brushed me off, claiming he was too tired. I knew the truth. He was repulsed by the scars on my stomach. So, he found comfort with other women. Tyler’s earlier words played in my mind. His denial of me as his wife felt like a sharp bone lodged in my throat. Before I realized it, tears silently spilled from the corners of my eyes. Just then, my phone buzzed with a text. It was from Tyler.[I couldn’t find you, so I left first. [I’ve got a surprise waiting at home. Don’t be mad, okay? [Oh, and Mom says she misses us. Let’s visit her when we get the chance
I snapped back to reality and looked at Tyler. “I’m hungry,” I said, avoiding giving him a direct answer. Tyler seemed to take my response as agreement. After dinner, we began packing for our trip to his mother’s home in the countryside. “Don’t forget to bring motion sickness pills.”Everyone knew I got carsick easily. Tyler nodded along, promising he’d remember. However, halfway through packing, he claimed he had an urgent matter with the production team and left early. I was used to this by now. At the door, as I saw him off, I noticed a pile of birthday decorations in the corner. Tyler said casually while putting on his coat, “Oh, Mindy had a birthday, so I decorated the house for her. Since you came back, I figured you could enjoy it, too.” It finally clicked. The beautiful roses filling the house weren’t for me. I’d just been a convenient afterthought. After he left, I sat alone on the couch, watching the heart-shaped candles burn down. It was the
As a doctor and a mother who once carried life, I knew all too well what Tyler was doing behind that curtain. I slumped against the wall outside the room, overwhelmed by memories of being alone in hospitals—seeking treatment, being hospitalized, and recovering. When Tyler emerged holding a soiled diaper, I couldn’t bear to watch anymore. I turned and left. I didn’t go home. Instead, I went to my best friend’s house. However, it was her husband who greeted me. Behind him, my friend sat in the living room, heavily pregnant and surrounded by family. I had hoped to pour my heart out to her, but seeing her glowing with happiness, I forced a smile and exchanged pleasantries before excusing myself. I wandered aimlessly through the streets, reminiscing about the time I had defied my parents to marry Tyler when he had nothing to his name. The memory felt almost laughable now. Unable to escape my turmoil, I took three days off from work and retreated to the seaside alone.
I couldn’t hold it anymore and ran to the restroom, retching violently at the sink. When I finally regained my composure and turned around, I spotted Tyler holding the baby a short distance away, chatting and laughing with Mindy.As if he remembered something, Tyler turned to the car and retrieved a grapefruit. "This is your favorite, right? I brought it just for you. Let me peel it for you to try." Seeing this scene, my heart clenched for a moment. So, he hadn’t forgotten after all. Mindy wrinkled her nose in mild distaste. "I don’t want this. I feel like having some soup." Mindy, acting like a spoiled wife, pouted at Tyler. Tyler seemed to relish it, nodding indulgently. "Wait here, then." It had started raining steadily, and the store was at least a hundred yards away. The rain grew heavier, yet Tyler strode off determinedly into the downpour to get it for her. Watching him march off, rain drenching him, a cold droplet slid down my cheek. I suddenly
I didn’t respond to her smug look, keeping my eyes forward. Deep down, I was counting the days until the divorce deadline finally arrived. Mindy gave a shy smile and turned toward the restroom to change. When she emerged, the car continued on its way. It wasn’t long before we arrived at Tyler’s family home in the countryside. As I opened the car door, Rachel was already waiting at the front steps. She must have known we were coming. "Mom!" I called out, ready to grab the gifts I had carefully prepared from the trunk. With only a week left until the divorce, I figured I should at least fulfill my role as a dutiful daughter-in-law one last time. However, it quickly became clear that I was the only one thinking that way. “Oh, my sweet girl! I’ve missed you so much!”I turned back just in time to see Rachel calling out and hugging Mindy warmly. Looking at the baby in Mindy’s arms, Rachel pulled out a fat red envelope and handed it to Mindy. "This is for the baby.
I kicked the gift bags at my feet, turned, and grabbed my suitcase from the car. Tyler saw my angry departure and shouted after me. “Get back here!” He started to chase me, but Rachel stepped out of the house and grabbed his arm. “It’s late,” she said with a scoff. “Let her go. Let’s see how far she gets.“You’ve got to be tough with women like her. Otherwise, they never learn. Has she ever succeeded in her tantrums before? No? “Then don’t bother with her now. Let’s go back and finish dinner.” She pulled Tyler back toward the dining table, though he kept glancing nervously at the darkening sky. After a few moments, he finally shook her off. “No, I have to check on her,” he muttered, storming out despite Rachel’s protests. Finally, Tyler caught up to me at the edge of the village. “Sarah, what the hell are you doing? All this because you weren’t called to dinner? You’ve yelled and caused a scene. Isn’t that enough?” I ignored him, shaking off his hand as I con
The silence behind me was unnerving. However, I felt a flicker of warmth in my chest. After finding a place to charge my phone, I booked a nearby motel and took a shower. Once I had my train ticket in hand, I returned home. Two days had passed. With only three days left until the divorce hearing, I needed to retrieve my belongings from Tyler’s house. I turned the key in the lock, but before I could open the door, it swung open. Standing there was Mindy. As soon as she saw me, she called over her shoulder, “Tyler! Sarah’s back!“You don’t know, but Tyler’s been searching for you these past two days. He hasn’t slept a wink!” Sure enough, Tyler appeared, his dark circles betraying his exhaustion. However, his haggard appearance stirred nothing in me. “You’re back. Come in!” Tyler ushered me into the house like nothing had happened. As I walked into the living room, he subconsciously pulled back a seat at the dining table. “You haven’t eaten, have you? Have som
"From now on, we’re done." With that, I turned and walked away. Tyler didn’t stop me. Why would he? He’d achieved his goal. That was fine by me. I never cared for his money, and being free from him felt like a gift.I rented a house, and work was back on track as usual. The divorce proceedings were smooth. Even my decision to leave without claiming a cent surprised my lawyer. However, I didn’t explain. I was done with Tyler and the heartbreak he brought. As soon as he stepped out of the courthouse, Tyler headed back in again. This time, to get his marriage certification with Mindy. They didn’t even bother hiding it. Right before me, Tyler and Mindy flaunted their freshly signed marriage certificate, waving it in my face like a trophy.“This is what you wanted, isn’t it?” Tyler sneered. “Mindy and I are having our wedding ceremony tomorrow. Don’t forget to come.” His deliberate mockery didn’t faze me. “Just don’t regret it later.” Tyler snorted coldly. “Regre
The silence behind me was unnerving. However, I felt a flicker of warmth in my chest. After finding a place to charge my phone, I booked a nearby motel and took a shower. Once I had my train ticket in hand, I returned home. Two days had passed. With only three days left until the divorce hearing, I needed to retrieve my belongings from Tyler’s house. I turned the key in the lock, but before I could open the door, it swung open. Standing there was Mindy. As soon as she saw me, she called over her shoulder, “Tyler! Sarah’s back!“You don’t know, but Tyler’s been searching for you these past two days. He hasn’t slept a wink!” Sure enough, Tyler appeared, his dark circles betraying his exhaustion. However, his haggard appearance stirred nothing in me. “You’re back. Come in!” Tyler ushered me into the house like nothing had happened. As I walked into the living room, he subconsciously pulled back a seat at the dining table. “You haven’t eaten, have you? Have som
I kicked the gift bags at my feet, turned, and grabbed my suitcase from the car. Tyler saw my angry departure and shouted after me. “Get back here!” He started to chase me, but Rachel stepped out of the house and grabbed his arm. “It’s late,” she said with a scoff. “Let her go. Let’s see how far she gets.“You’ve got to be tough with women like her. Otherwise, they never learn. Has she ever succeeded in her tantrums before? No? “Then don’t bother with her now. Let’s go back and finish dinner.” She pulled Tyler back toward the dining table, though he kept glancing nervously at the darkening sky. After a few moments, he finally shook her off. “No, I have to check on her,” he muttered, storming out despite Rachel’s protests. Finally, Tyler caught up to me at the edge of the village. “Sarah, what the hell are you doing? All this because you weren’t called to dinner? You’ve yelled and caused a scene. Isn’t that enough?” I ignored him, shaking off his hand as I con
I didn’t respond to her smug look, keeping my eyes forward. Deep down, I was counting the days until the divorce deadline finally arrived. Mindy gave a shy smile and turned toward the restroom to change. When she emerged, the car continued on its way. It wasn’t long before we arrived at Tyler’s family home in the countryside. As I opened the car door, Rachel was already waiting at the front steps. She must have known we were coming. "Mom!" I called out, ready to grab the gifts I had carefully prepared from the trunk. With only a week left until the divorce, I figured I should at least fulfill my role as a dutiful daughter-in-law one last time. However, it quickly became clear that I was the only one thinking that way. “Oh, my sweet girl! I’ve missed you so much!”I turned back just in time to see Rachel calling out and hugging Mindy warmly. Looking at the baby in Mindy’s arms, Rachel pulled out a fat red envelope and handed it to Mindy. "This is for the baby.
I couldn’t hold it anymore and ran to the restroom, retching violently at the sink. When I finally regained my composure and turned around, I spotted Tyler holding the baby a short distance away, chatting and laughing with Mindy.As if he remembered something, Tyler turned to the car and retrieved a grapefruit. "This is your favorite, right? I brought it just for you. Let me peel it for you to try." Seeing this scene, my heart clenched for a moment. So, he hadn’t forgotten after all. Mindy wrinkled her nose in mild distaste. "I don’t want this. I feel like having some soup." Mindy, acting like a spoiled wife, pouted at Tyler. Tyler seemed to relish it, nodding indulgently. "Wait here, then." It had started raining steadily, and the store was at least a hundred yards away. The rain grew heavier, yet Tyler strode off determinedly into the downpour to get it for her. Watching him march off, rain drenching him, a cold droplet slid down my cheek. I suddenly
As a doctor and a mother who once carried life, I knew all too well what Tyler was doing behind that curtain. I slumped against the wall outside the room, overwhelmed by memories of being alone in hospitals—seeking treatment, being hospitalized, and recovering. When Tyler emerged holding a soiled diaper, I couldn’t bear to watch anymore. I turned and left. I didn’t go home. Instead, I went to my best friend’s house. However, it was her husband who greeted me. Behind him, my friend sat in the living room, heavily pregnant and surrounded by family. I had hoped to pour my heart out to her, but seeing her glowing with happiness, I forced a smile and exchanged pleasantries before excusing myself. I wandered aimlessly through the streets, reminiscing about the time I had defied my parents to marry Tyler when he had nothing to his name. The memory felt almost laughable now. Unable to escape my turmoil, I took three days off from work and retreated to the seaside alone.
I snapped back to reality and looked at Tyler. “I’m hungry,” I said, avoiding giving him a direct answer. Tyler seemed to take my response as agreement. After dinner, we began packing for our trip to his mother’s home in the countryside. “Don’t forget to bring motion sickness pills.”Everyone knew I got carsick easily. Tyler nodded along, promising he’d remember. However, halfway through packing, he claimed he had an urgent matter with the production team and left early. I was used to this by now. At the door, as I saw him off, I noticed a pile of birthday decorations in the corner. Tyler said casually while putting on his coat, “Oh, Mindy had a birthday, so I decorated the house for her. Since you came back, I figured you could enjoy it, too.” It finally clicked. The beautiful roses filling the house weren’t for me. I’d just been a convenient afterthought. After he left, I sat alone on the couch, watching the heart-shaped candles burn down. It was the
It wasn’t until three days after I was hospitalized that Tyler finally arrived from his film set. The severe burns I suffered left permanent damage, including to my uterus. Tyler stayed to take care of me for a week before returning to his production schedule. Overwhelmed with guilt, Rachel moved back to her rural hometown. For the next two years, every time I gently hinted at trying for another child, Tyler brushed me off, claiming he was too tired. I knew the truth. He was repulsed by the scars on my stomach. So, he found comfort with other women. Tyler’s earlier words played in my mind. His denial of me as his wife felt like a sharp bone lodged in my throat. Before I realized it, tears silently spilled from the corners of my eyes. Just then, my phone buzzed with a text. It was from Tyler.[I couldn’t find you, so I left first. [I’ve got a surprise waiting at home. Don’t be mad, okay? [Oh, and Mom says she misses us. Let’s visit her when we get the chance
Tyler Clark sat down across from me, pausing briefly as our eyes met. I held back a bitter smile. “Mr. Clark, are you sure the child is yours?” Tyler’s expression shifted momentarily into shock when he saw me but quickly returned to his usual indifferent demeanor. To the outside world, I was nothing more than a placeholder wife. Just then, Mindy Benson, his childhood friend, noticed something was off. “What’s going on, Tyler? Do you two know each other?”Tyler awkwardly shook his head. “No, we don’t.” With one sentence, he erased my existence as his wife in front of someone else. I swallowed my anger, refusing to make a scene. This wasn’t the first time he had done this. We’d been married for ten years, yet none of his friends knew I even existed. Only his family recognized me as his wife. I took a deep breath and focused on the documents Mindy handed me, sorting through them before handing them back to her. “We’ll need to do a preliminary prenatal exam