After eight years of marriage and five years of IVF struggles, Madeline Evans finally found out she was pregnant.
Filled with excitement, she took the ultrasound report, eager to surprise Nathaniel. But what she discovered instead shattered her world: his illegitimate child was about to be born.
At the same time, she and the mistress, Zoe Jackson, were both bleeding. Desperate, Madeline reached out and grabbed Nathaniel’s sleeve, pleading with him not to leave. He coldly shrugged her off, walking away with Zoe in his arms, disappearing from her sight.
Devastated, Madeline left behind an abortion report and filed for divorce.
"If you don’t love me, then let’s end it."
——
"Doctor, please help me arrange an abortion."
Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the phone, her heart breaking with each word.
"Miss Evans, are you sure? It took you so long to conceive through IVF. Don’t act in haste. Talk to Mr. Evans. You were so excited about this child."
The mention of Nathaniel’s name made Madeline’s resolve firm. Her wavering heart became steely.
"No. Let’s schedule the surgery in three days. I don’t want this child anymore."
"Okay, understood."
After the call ended, Madeline sat at the table, staring at the ultrasound report. As she looked at the tiny shadow on the paper, she couldn't hold back her tears, silently sobbing.
"Baby, I’m sorry. I’m not worthy of being your mother."
She wiped her tears, but they kept flowing, as if trying to release all the pain and injustices she had endured over the past five years, tears that she couldn’t stop.
After eight years of marriage, Nathaniel and Madeline were as loving as ever. They traveled the world, often leaving others envious of their seemingly perfect life. Yet, only the couple knew the truth: it wasn’t that they didn’t want children, but that Madeline had always struggled to conceive.
Nathaniel had never used contraception, and after three years of trying, Madeline took the brave step of proposing IVF. But to her surprise, Nathaniel firmly opposed it.
"Madeline, it doesn’t matter if we don’t have children," he said gently. "I only need you."
The process of IVF was grueling, and Nathaniel couldn’t bear to see her suffer. But Madeline knew how much he loved children. She saw it in his eyes every time they visited friends with kids. He never held the children, respecting her feelings, but the longing in his gaze was unmistakable.
So, despite his objections, Madeline insisted, and after five years of IVF treatments, countless blood draws, injections, and repeated disappointments, she finally got pregnant.
When she left the hospital, Madeline needed a moment to absorb the reality of it all. After a few moments, she called Nathaniel.
"Madeline, I’m in a meeting. What’s wrong?" His voice was magnetic and gentle, but laced with concern.
Madeline fought to steady her emotions. She tried to keep her voice steady, though it shook with excitement. "Nathaniel, I have something to tell you. Are you working overtime tonight?"
"Why does your voice sound off? Are you crying?" He sounded genuinely worried. "I’m sorry I couldn’t be with you at the hospital. I know it was hard for you. Don’t cry, Madeline, I’ll be with you tomorrow."
"No, don’t worry. I’m fine. I just woke up," she reassured him. "Don’t work overtime tonight. Come home, okay?"
Her heart swelled with affection. Nathaniel always knew when something was wrong, always understood her without her needing to explain. He was gentle with her, afraid that she would break if he held her too tightly, but also afraid that she would slip away if he let go. This was how he loved her.
"Okay, I’ll come home early. Rest well."
Madeline was about to hang up and prepare for the night shift when suddenly a surprised female voice came from the other end of the phone.
"The baby kicked me. Do you want to feel it?"
Madeline’s heart skipped a beat. Her voice trembled as she asked, "Nathaniel, what are you doing? Who’s talking?"
