The Neglected Wife's Spectacular Comeback

e stood in my living room, holding a positive pregnancy test and a

, praised my friend for "doing the family a great service,"

r a mere "vessel" for our family. He then orchestrated an "accident"

aving heart transplant for my friend's brother and lef

s, yet I was blind to the fact that my own life was being

ring for two years, I've built a n

time, he's not just trying to c

pte

Berge

child, a fact she revealed to me one hour ago while holding

eft the city breathless. He filled my office with so many rare orchids that it looked like a botanical garden. He commissioned a symphony inspired by the rhythm of a beating heart, dedicating it to me, Dr. Elain

uld literally hold a life in my hands, believed

oday ha

phant yet fearful glint in her eyes. She held out the ultrasound picture, the grainy black-and-white image a death sen

started to tremble. A cold sweat broke out on my forehead, and the room began to tilt. The city skyline outside the window blurred into a m

ike a hurricane in Chanel. Her eyes, cold and sharp as surgical steel, bypassed me enti

he family a great service." She then turned her gaze to me, her expression shifting to one of undi

a physical blow. Barren. Usel

ommanding. She gestured to the staff who followed in her wake, carrying expensive-

r-in-law arranged the new reality of my life. I felt nothing and everyt

t my cheeks. I walked for hours, my feet moving on autopilot, until my phone buzzed inces

n the foyer, his handsome face etched with a convincing mask of

hing out to pull me into an embrac

creen filled with my name. A hundred m

dismantle my defenses. He pulled a velvet box from his pocket. "I bought you the Starlight Diamond. The on

intoxicating, now s

ragged and raw in my throat. "You said

ution. A way for us to have everything. A family. An heir for the Patton legacy. Hollie is jus

She was wearing one of my silk robes, her hand protectively placed over her

prayer tablet. "Elaina, yo

year. I' d written a wish on it at the temple, a secre

child to complete our family.'" She looked from the tablet to me. "See? T

rd, snatching the wooden tablet from her hand. I didn't just break it; I splintered it into a dozen pieces, the sh

against his chest, his arms like a cage. He glared ov

of resentment in her eyes, but

ack with a strength I didn't kn

et's be re

. "How long, Brennan? How long have you been

t was about procreation. It's not like you could do it," he said, his tone dismissive,

. I understood the mechanics of conception better than he could ever imagine. The sheer igno

caress. "It will be perfect. You, me, and our baby. You'll take care of Hollie during t

snapped

nnan's smile faded. His eyes, the ones I once t

did yo

he caretaker for your mistr

ut this very carefully, Elaina. My family owns the hospital you work at. Your career, your r

n me. He was right. In the world of the Pattons, my accomplishme

aned in and kissed me, a possessive, claiming kiss that tasted of lies. "Hollie i

, sharp and imperious. "Brennan! Dr. Evans is here to che

nto one of feigned apology. "I have to go.

ayed in the shadows of the hallway, listening. I could hear them talking in the

dmiration. "Knocking up the best friend? That's a power move. N

I have? Elaina is beautiful, brilliant, a real trophy. But she's barren. And honestly? She's so wrapped up in her

back, my hand flying to my mouth to stifl

single document. A blank divorce agreement, pre-signed by Brennan. He'd given it to me before our wedding, a grand gesture to prove

silent room. He hadn't given me power. He had given me a

tion of granite, crumbled into dust. It was a

past the hundred missed calls from Brennan and f

member that Doctors Without Borders mission in Sudan

end. "Elaina? Yes, it is. But

ng on the signed divorce agreemen

. I would have to be careful. I would have to plan my escap

stomach turn. The apartment, my home, was already being transformed. Baby catalogues were strewn acr

ou, Elaina. Let's make it easier." She scribbled a number with so many zeros I couldn't count them and pu

by the window. He was rubbing her back, whispering somethin

er of hope in

eck. My voice was

rised, then pleased. Sh

, my voice devoid of all emotion. "It just needs

clutched in my hand, leaving them