My wife, Eleanor Bingley and I agreed to be a DINK couple, which meant a double-income couple with no kids. But one day, I found out she had a son with another man. After that child was diagnosed with leukemia, everything changed.
Suddenly, my wife started begging me every night to have a baby with her. Eleanor never explained why. Then, one day, she told me she was already pregnant. Apparently, she had kept it a secret until it was too late to hide.
I was so angry that I fainted and was rushed to the hospital. After I woke up, I asked her to get an abortion. I couldn't accept what she had done. But Eleanor refused. She even made sure the hospital wouldn’t let me leave.
Her mother came to visit and tried to talk me into accepting the situation.
She said, “Saving a life is more important than building a wall between you two. Eleanor’s son is your son too. The child is already here … how can you be so heartless? You two didn’t have children for so many years. Eleanor had no choice … ”
I stopped struggling and looked at Eleanor. Her eyes were wet with tears.
I let out a sigh and said calmly, “You and that man can have another child to be a match for your son. I will pay for the treatment, but don’t ask me for anything else.”
For a moment, I saw disappointment and sadness flash in Eleanor’s eyes. I thought she felt guilty.
But then she told me, “I already tried. Thomas was too wild when he was younger and is infertile now.”
She continued, “Half-siblings have a one-quarter chance of being a successful match. James, if you are willing to help save my son, I will agree to anything you ask!”
I turned my face away. My heart was cold and empty.
“I want a divorce,” I said.
“Once I’m out of the hospital in a week, we’ll meet at the Town Hall.”
——
My mother-in-law became furious. Her blood pressure went up and she even tried to hit me. Eleanor quickly stopped her and pulled her away.
After that, she looked at me, frowned slightly and said with a firm voice, “No. I won’t divorce you. Don’t even think about it.”
I looked straight at her and gave a cold smile. We had been husband and wife for many years. She could tell that I was serious this time. Her expression softened a little and she said in a quieter voice, “James, we’ve been together for so long. Do you really want to end everything like this?”
“I know you feel hurt. But Thomas didn’t go to school much. He doesn’t have your background or education. When he was younger, he was with me because we were both lost. It wasn’t easy for me to give birth to a son. If someone is to blame, then blame me.”
She took a breath before she said, “The child is innocent. Aren’t you being cruel for pushing me like this?”
I stayed silent and touched my stomach. My thoughts went back to a few years ago.
When Eleanor was younger, she often talked about how unfair life was. She came from a poor background and was able to go to school only because my father sponsored her education. After she graduated, she couldn’t continue her studies. There was no money, no way forward.
One rainy day, I saw her kneeling in the street, begging for a qualification to join a business bid. I held an umbrella over her and took her home.
Eleanor was a woman with a strong spirit, even when she was struggling. Something about her touched me deeply. I was the only son of the richest man in the city, but I couldn’t stop thinking about her.
Soon, she became the daughter-in-law of the richest family when we got married. She entered a life of comfort and luxury. At the time, I never thought we would live without children. I wanted to have a baby with her from the beginning.
And soon, she got pregnant.
I remember how her hands shook when she showed me the pregnancy test result. She was so happy that she almost cried.
“My parents believe the first child should be raised by them,” I told her.
“We can have more kids later. How many children do you want, Eleanor?”
She paused and I saw a small hint of worry in her eyes.
“James,” she called my name gently,
She then continued, “Are you really ready to be a father? You’re already so busy with work. I don’t want to put more pressure on you. I’ll feel guilty…”
Her concern moved me. I hugged her and told her not to worry. I said I wasn’t afraid. She was the one going through the hardest part, the pregnancy.
During those months, I took care of her the best I could. I even lost weight from the stress, but I didn’t care.
Then, two weeks later, she started having pain in her stomach. I rushed her to the hospital, but it was too late. We lost the baby.
I sat by her bedside all night. The next morning, my eyes were red from crying. I hit myself in anger and said,
“Eleanor, it’s my fault. You suffered because of me. We won’t try again. Let’s just be a DINK couple, okay?”
But she shook her head.
“You’re the only child in your family,” she said.
“James, I still want to have a child with you. I’m not afraid of a little pain.”
