I had been in a child-free marriage with Theron Ashvale by choice for ten years and we were in love.
To spare me the pain of childbirth, he got a vasectomy on our wedding night and it was his own idea.
June 1st was my birthday. He held me gently and said, "Honey, I have a surprise for you."
Every birthday since we got married, his gifts have always left me overjoyed.
With excitement, I let him guide me, blindfolded, to what he said was the surprise.
When he stopped, he took off the blindfold. We were standing outside an orphanage.
"Honey, I know you’ve always wanted a child. Can we adopt him?"
I looked where he pointed and froze. The little boy looked ninety percent like him.
"If you don’t like this idea, it’s okay. We’ll just go back to our own life."
Seeing the hurt in his eyes, I forced a smile and said, "You put so much effort into this. Of course I like him. Let’s take him home."
That night, after I finally coaxed the boy to sleep, I overheard a conversation that shattered me.
"Celina, don’t worry. I’ve kept her tied down for ten years. She can’t have kids now. Once I finish moving the company’s money, I’ll get rid of her. Then we can live together, the three of us."
My body trembled, cold and numb like I was splitting apart inside.
So, the happy, child-free marriage I had cherished was a lie.
And the husband who once swore we would grow old together was planning to strip me of everything.
Better to lose a man like that.
——
"Honey, you look a bit pale. Here, drink some milk and get some rest."
Theron handed me a glass of milk. I took it with blank eyes and sat on the couch.
Even though I clutched the glass tightly with both hands, pretending to stay calm, my trembling fingers betrayed me.
Noticing something strange, Theron hugged me. "You must be tired, right? Theo’s a bit mischievous. Boys his age always are."
He wrapped his arms around me, his chin resting against my neck. Even in today's hot weather, his breath still made me shiver.
I stood up abruptly, pulling myself out of his embrace.
The sound of the cup shattering snapped me out of my daze.
"Honey, I think we should return the child to the orphanage."
Before I could finish, Theron’s brows drew together tightly. "Elena, why are you going back on your word? Theo takes time to adjust. He just got back from overseas two months ago and he finally settled in. You agreed at lunch. Why the change of heart?"
"Wait. Isn’t he an orphan raised at the orphanage? When did he ever go abroad?"
For a second, something flickered across his face. Then he smiled again as if nothing had happened.
"He is an orphan. Who would’ve taken him abroad? You must’ve misheard."
He scooped me into his arms and carried me toward the bedroom, still smiling.
I wanted to speak, but he kissed me before I could say a word.
The familiar, passionate kisses tried to sweep me away like they always had.
But this time, I only wanted to push him off.
Thinking of what I had heard, I sank my teeth into his tongue with all my strength.
"What the hell, Elena? Have you lost your mind?"
Theron yanked up his half-removed pants, clearly pissed.
"First you go back on your word and want to kick Theo out, then you pull away when I try to be close to you. What’s your problem? Don’t tell me you’re hitting menopause at 35?"
The usual tenderness in his voice was gone, replaced by pure irritation and disgust.
My chest tightened and tears slipped silently down my cheeks.
"Theron, just give me the address of the orphanage. I’ll take him back myself first thing in the morning."
"Elena, what the hell is wrong with you? You love kids, I know you do. I went through so much just to find Theo and finalize the adoption. And now you want to send him back? No way. Over my dead body."
