Chapter 2:

“You think that’s going to work?” Evander asked Delaney.

“Yes, it will. My sister is so dumb. She believes every medical report—especially if it’s from DR. CASSIAN REEVES our family’s most trusted doctor.”

“All we need to do is slip him a little cash, and boom—we have him in the palm of our hands.”

Evander looked confused, unsure about the plan.

“Look,” Delaney said, trying to convince him. “When I was twelve, I followed my dad to the hospital after he lied that he was sick. I thought he was going for a checkup. While I waited outside, he was inside Doctor Reeves’s office. I got tired of waiting and decided to meet him at the door.”

Her voice dropped.

“I overheard my dad telling Doctor Reeve to get rid of his mistress’s pregnancy. She was coming for antenatal care that day. I saw my dad slip some cash into Doctor Reeves’s hands. He smiled and said, ‘Consider it done.’”

“What?” Evander exclaimed.

“I never told my mom, and my dad had no idea I knew. He took that secret to his grave—and I’m still living with it.”

“So what are you trying to imply?” Evander asked.

Delaney stepped closer, running her hand over his shoulder.

“I’m saying Doctor Reeves can do anything for money. And if he insists otherwise, I’ll blackmail him with what I just told you, I’ve a record of their conversation. I’ll tell the mistress what really happened to her baby. I know where she lives—that’s the fun part.”

“Oh my, Delaney,” Evander said, smiling, excitement lighting up his face. He admired the way her words sounded—sharp and clever.

“I wish I had you instead of your sister.”

“Well, you don’t need to worry anymore. You have me now.”

They kissed, then fell onto the bed, continuing their wild night.

⸻

The Next Morning

Ariella woke up tired and worried. She had slept on the couch, hoping her husband might change his mind and come back home. She eventually drifted off, only to be awakened by the alarm standing near the couch.

She tried calling Evander, but he didn’t pick up. Panic rose in her chest, but she forced herself to stay calm—she was used to his behavior.

A knock came at the door.

With sleepy eyes, she rushed to open it.

It was Evander.

He looked sharp—nothing like a man who had been up all night working or exhausted from a company party. Still, she dared not question him. They had been married for two years, and she believed she knew him better than anyone.

“Welcome, darling,” Ariella said as Evander stepped in.

“Thanks, my love,” Evander replied.

Ariella froze. It had been a year since he last called her that.

Evander pulled her close, dancing with her, kissing her all over. He told her how much he missed her, how much he loved her, and apologized for the way he spoke to her on the phone the night before.

Ariella couldn’t say a word. She only stared at him, lost in thought.

Evander lifted her into his arms, and it reminded her of their wedding day—the way he had carried her then, full of love. She never imagined childlessness would change everything the way it had.

“You look so happy today,” Ari said as he dropped her gently onto the couch.

“Yes, dear. I’m happy because I think we’ve found a solution.”

“Really?” Ari asked, her eyes lighting up.

“Yes, sweetheart. I met an old friend at the office party. We talked, and I told him about the problems we’ve been facing. He suggested something we haven’t tried.”

Ariella felt uncomfortable that Evander had shared their private struggle, but her curiosity outweighed her discomfort.

“Go on,” she said eagerly.

“He asked if you’ve ever done a fertility test. I realized we haven’t. He told me he and his wife had the same issue, but after the test, everything was fine. She has three kids now.”

“Three kids?” Ari whispered in awe.

“Yes, darling—three kids,” Evander said confidently.

“Wow… that’s good,” Ari added.

“So now, I want us to freshen up. Get all beautiful for me. We’re heading to Doctor Reeves’s office to run the test.”

He lifted her again, playful and romantic, as they headed toward the shower.

Ariella felt alive again.

It had been a long time since she felt this way, and she prayed silently, I hope it stays like this.

AT THE HOSPITAL

Doctor Reeves exhaled slowly, as though weighing how much truth her heart could survive.

“I won’t sugarcoat this, Mrs. Marlowe,” he said, his voice low and grave. “Your eggs are alive—healthy, even—but they are trapped in a body that cannot protect them.”

Ariella’s fingers trembled.

“Your womb,” he continued, adjusting his glasses, “is constantly overheated. Any embryo that tries to implant would be rejected before it ever has a chance to grow. Life begins… and dies quietly.”

A sharp breath escaped her lips.

“Your cervix is also severely weakened,” Doctor Reeve added. “It cannot allow sperm to pass through naturally. Even if fertilization occurred, your body would not sustain it. Pregnancy, for you, would be a battle your body refuses to fight.”

He paused, letting the words sink in—slow, merciless.

“This condition isn’t temporary. It isn’t stress. It isn’t something prayer or time will fix.”

Ariella’s tears slid down silently.

“In simple terms,” he concluded, “your body is incapable of carrying a child”.

Evander tightened his grip around her shoulders, hiding the calm in his eyes.

⸻

Flashback

Evander handed Doctor Reeve an envelope stuffed with cash.

“No matter how good the results are,” Evander said coldly, “tell Ariella they’re negative. Tell her the only hope is a surrogate—someone from her family. Her sister should be the only option.”

Doctor Reeve smiled. “Consider it done.”

Back to the present,

“There is one option,” Doctor Reeve said after a moment, lowering his voice. “A surrogate. Someone biologically close to you—someone your body would not reject by blood.”

His gaze flickered, deliberate.

“A family member would be… ideal.”

Ariella looked up at her husband with her teary eyes, desperate, hopeful—

And missed the faint curve of satisfaction on Evander’s lips.