She Was Never the Real Reason

It was a prenatal report—and the patient’s name was Beverly.The listed conception date made my head spin.Three weeks pregnant.Which meant Dominic and Beverly had undergone IVF over a month ago.He’d never planned to discuss this with me—never intended to ask for my consent.So why had he hounded me about it daily? To absolve his guilt? What did I even mean to him?My legs buckled, and I sank to the floor.I felt my heart clenched, strangling every breath.No wonder Dominic had rushed out earlier, grinning like a fool after that call.He’d known. They did a good job. Beverly was pregnant.He was probably at the hospital with her now, clinking champagne glasses over their twisted “miracle.”I pressed my palms against my eyelids, but the image of that report burned brighter.How could the man I’d loved for decades become another woman’s child’s father?Two months ago, he’d tearfully accepted my proposal. I’d booked the cathedral and chosen a lace gown for our wedding.I’d

“I can't take wedding photos with you tomorrow.” My eyes flicked to the calendar where “PHOTOSHOOT” glared under tomorrow’s date. I had no idea why Dominic wanted to cancel. Honestly, I didn't want to get married anyway. Even if Dominic hadn't said anything, I would have found an excuse to call it off. His suggestion was a huge relief. I nodded. "Okay, I'll call the photographer and cancel it." The words were barely out when Dominic's eyes widened. He hadn't expected such a quick, easy agreement. He'd probably anticipated questions, a whole interrogation. After all, I'd meticulously planned every detail of the wedding, spending ages researching. Even the photographer for the shoot was a pricey last-minute addition, secured only after I'd significantly increased the fee to jump the queue. He'd expected a fight. Instead, I was calm. Dominic looked at me, his expression a confusing mix of emotions. "Don't cancel," he said. "Beverly said she'll probably never

Countdown, day five. I submitted my resignation to the university. Initially, to be with Dominic, I'd turned down my advisor's offer to continue research, choosing instead to follow Dominic to Concordia University and become a teacher. My colleagues were surprised by my resignation. "Why are you leaving, Jane?" "I heard you were getting married. Going to be a stay-at-home wife? Dominic's a lucky guy!" one colleague joked. I smiled, holding my boxes. "No, the wedding's off." When I got home, I found Dominic and Beverly sitting on the couch—my first sight of Dominic in a week. He saw my boxes. "What are you doing with all those things?" I improvised. "Just stuff I don't need anymore." Dominic nodded, surveying the apartment. "I've only been gone a week. It seems like a lot less stuff is here." I took the boxes to the bedroom, calmly replying, "I just cleaned out some unnecessary junk." Dominic started to speak, but Beverly interrupted. "Jane, Dominic w

Dominic's accusations made me laugh in anger. "Me apologize? Check the security footage yourself and see if I should apologize!" I hadn't expected Dominic to assume I'd tried to push Beverly down the stairs without even checking the footage. "Beverly is a patient, a pregnant woman. Would she deliberately harm herself?" A flicker of panic crossed Beverly's face. "Forget it, Dominic. Jane's anger is understandable. Let's go." But Dominic refused. "No, she has to apologize to you today!" I wouldn't back down. I wouldn't admit to something I hadn't done. Beverly, fearing Dominic would check the security footage and expose her, clutched her stomach, feigning discomfort. Dominic's furious expression instantly turned to worry. He scooped Beverly into his arms and rushed to find a doctor. Watching them leave, I felt a bitter taste spread through me. Twenty years of company, five years of dating, and I couldn't earn Dominic's trust. Thankfully, I'd woken up and could leave.

Dominic stepped back, shaking his head in disbelief. How could she cancel? Two months ago, when he'd accepted her proposal, her joy had been undeniable. Why would she cancel the wedding? His friends and family were equally bewildered. They hadn't forgotten the date. Dominic's mother, after confirming with the staff that Jane had indeed cancelled, pulled him aside, anger simmering. "What's going on? The date was set! She didn't come, and cancelled the wedding? What does she mean?" Seeing his son's equally surprised expression, her anger intensified. She knew Jane and Dominic had been friends for twenty years, and she'd sensed Jane's affection for him; she'd approved of her as his daughter-in-law. But Jane, the bride, hadn't shown up, and had cancelled two weeks prior, without anyone knowing! "Call Jane! Ask her if she still wants to get married!" Dominic, jolted awake, pulled out his phone to call Jane. His hand trembled as he dialed. But she was already on a fli