(Scarlette's )

The Anniversary.

"Woman? You're nothing but a man in a woman's body. Your womb is useless-can't even carry a child. So tell me, what makes you different from a man?"

The words of my mother in law still echoed in my head as I stood beside my husband, forcing a smile at the guests gathered in the hallway.

The voices of the gathered guests echoed loudly, cheers filling the room. The chandelier shone brightly on my face, showing the mixture of genuine and forced smiles around me. I stood at the center of it all, a massive cake in front of me, a knife poised in my hand, and my husband's hand resting over mine.

The man who had stood by me through thick and thin. The man who had loved me for five years, despite my childlessness. Ethan Thane Newton. The world had been cruel, but he had remained my anchor.

As the guests counted down for us to cut the cake, laughter rippled through the space.

"Come on, kitten," Ethan's voice cut through the noise, his smile perfectly fitting his handsome, fair face.

"Tell me....What would you like for this year's anniversary?" His voice was calm, sharp, his eyes locked onto mine.

I ran my fingers through my hair, thinking. I had everything-the luxury, the wealth. What more could he give me? He had already given me everything. And yet, something was missing. A child. Children.

"Ethan... I should think about it. I have everything now," I said, smiling as I gently covered my mouth.

"No way. With you, nothing is ever enough. I want you to have more. And more you shall get," he said flatly, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

"Now, kitten, tell me what you desire?" he urged again, his hand resting gently under my chin.

My lips parted slightly, my eyes widening just a little. I was about to say something-anything at all-when a voice cut through the crowd.

"A child. That's all she should ask for."

Heads turned. My breath caught. I followed the direction of the voice immediately.

My mother-in-law. She was back.

I stepped forward instinctively to greet her, even though I knew she would never acknowledge me. To her, I had always been bad luck to her son.

"Don't you dare touch me!" she thundered, her voice slicing through the room.

"You have everything but you lack the most important thing in life," she continued. "A child. You should give us a child, woman. Right now, I'm beginning to see you as a man, not a woman anymore. Rubbish."

She spat the words with venom before striding past me toward Ethan.

I stood there, frozen. Silent. I couldn't even defend myself.

My hands trembled as I turned slowly, watching her stop in front of Ethan. I couldn't grasp what they were talking about at first, but as I moved closer, her words hit me like a slap.

"Ethan, I have told you countless times-you should throw this woman out of this house! She doesn't deserve to be called a woman. She's like a stick! And I don't see any reason why a stick should be with you!" she yelled.

"Mother, just stop this nonsense! Can't you see how you're rubbing dirt on us in front of all these people? Can't you at least wait until the guests have left?" Ethan barked sharply.

"Ethan... you are not going to speak to me that way, do you understand? And certainly not because of a barren woman who has refused to give this family a child."

"No, Mother. I won't let you talk to my wife like that-not anymore. If she can't have a child now, it's not a problem. Have I ever complained to you about this?" Ethan shot back, his voice steady.

"I know..." she said, shaking her head. "You're blind to all of this. Your love for her has blinded you too much to see reason."

She paused, then continued with cold finality. "You should get another wife. A wife who will give you a child-not just one, but many. You deserve better, my son."

She placed her hands on his shoulders, her voice lowering as she added, "Not this old and foolish girl you call a wife. God only knows what kind of garbage she has done to her womb."

She spat out the last words with disgust.

"If you waste one more year waiting for this man in a woman's body to give you a child, you're going to ruin everything. Everything, Ethan."

Her voice was sharp, too loud as she continued.

"Tell me," she said, creasing her forehead, her furious eyes locked on her son. "Would you still sit here, wasting time, and let your younger brother, Liam- find a wife, have a child before you? Let his child become the heir to this family first? Huh, Ethan? Is that what you want?"

She didn't even spare me a glance. Like I wasn't standing right there.

To her, I wasn't a woman. I was a broken machine. A failure. A waste of time.

And Ethan just stood there. Silent.

"Enough! Mother, enough already!" Ethan snapped. "You just got back from a trip. I suggest you go inside and rest."

Ethan turned to me, his hand gripping mine. I was frozen to the spot-shame, pain, and humiliation crushing my chest, making it hard to breathe.

I tried to move toward her, desperation clawing at me. "Mother, I'm sorry. I swear.... I will do better. I'll take my treatments seriously. I will make sure to give you a grandchild. Please.... Mother, forgive me. I'll go see the family Doc-"

She shoved my hand away before I could finish. "Get lost. It's already too late."

Then, without another word, she turned and strode out of the hall, heading upstairs. To her room.

People watched. Whispers filled the space. Murmurs scattered like falling leaves.

I leaned into Ethan's chest as he pulled me close, his warmth the only thing keeping me upright.

"Please, everyone, the party is over. Thank you very much for attending," Ethan said, dismissing the guests.

One by one, they left, their curious stares lingering until the last person was gone.

And then, we were alone, standing in the vast silence of the sitting hall.

"Hey, hey... my kitten, look at me." Ethan tilted my chin up, his deep eyes locking onto mine.

"Don't take anything mother had said to heart, okay? She can say whatever she wants, but we...." he exhaled sharply "we'll always be together. Always and forever. Promise..."

I shook my head and slowly turned away from him. "No, Ethan... you don't get it." My voice trembled. "She's right. I couldn't give this family an heir. I still can't." The words came out broken, muffled against his chest as he pulled me in.

His hand trailed through my hair, a touch so gentle that it almost shattered me. Without a word, he led me toward our bedroom.

"Ethan...?" I called softly as we walked.

"Yes, kitten?" His voice was calm, patient. "Tell me."

I stopped, wiping the last of my tears away. He turned to face me, eyes searching mine, waiting.

I hesitated, then forced the words out. "Can we try again?"

His brows knit together. "Try what again?" His tone was sharp, and hard to read.

I swallowed hard. "Having a child. I mean..." I took a deep breath. "We should try again tonight."

I stepped closer, my fingers trembling as they gripped his collar.

It had been so long. Too long. Every time I reached for him, he pulled away, muttering something about not wanting to "stress me." And I had listened. I had swallowed my pride, my desires, and let it go.

But tonight-tonight had to be different. I had been taking the medications Dr. Marlowe prescribed, the ones Mother made sure I never missed. She had done everything to make sure I conceived.

This was the perfect time.

"Let's have sex tonight, Ethan... please."

I hated how desperate I sounded. As if I was begging for something that should come naturally in a marriage. As if intimacy was something I had to earn.

But here I was, pleading for what should have always been mine.