Chapter 1: Infertility Sting

Elodie

“Happy anniversary bab—” The words die in my throat at the person who walks in behind him

…

The door has flown open with a loud thud, making me raise a hand to my chest, soothing my frightened heart.

My eyes lit up, filled with smiles the moment my husband walked in, but then it faltered at the sight of her. “Serena.” I frown, taking in my threat of a step-sister.

I blink to make sure I’m seeing very clearly.

She grins, wide and malicious. “Elodie.”

She’s truly here then, it’s not a figment of my imagination.

“What are you doing here?” I snap, brows dipping in both confusion and irritation.

I turn to my husband. “Mason, babe, what is she doing here?”

He rolls his eyes. “Who gave you the right to question me or whoever I bring into my house?”

“Serena.” I face my step-sister again, my patience wearing thin. “I asked you a question!”

Before the words even land, a hand cracks across my face. Pain sear up my cheeks. “Are you out of your mind? Questioning my guest?” Mason roars.

I froze, a hand cupping my cheek, eyes watering. “Y-you hit me?” I manage to ask, voice barely audible.

That’s when I see it. Mason’s hand were curled firmly around Serena’s waist.

“What’s going on, babe?” I ask, whimpering.

Until understanding dawn on me, and as if she was waiting for that moment…Serena smiles. “Forgive my manners, sister” she chuckles, the sound grating on my nerves, “but for your own good, I suggest you be nicer to your soon to be saviour.”

“Saviour?” I scoff, sniffling. “What exactly are you saving me from, Serena?”

She ignores me, rubbing her belly while inspecting the house I spent hours decorating for Mason and my anniversary.

“Meanwhile, I love this deco,” she said, “You really put so much effort into preparing for my coming, dear sister.” Her sly chuckle fills the air.

I clench my fists, the surge to bang her head across the wall came to me.

“Honey, what is the meaning of this madness?” I turn to face Mason.

“Here,” he says and shove some papers to me.

“This bears the answer to your question Elodie, and let this be the last time I ever hear you say that word ‘Honey’ to my face.” he spat.

My pupils dilate at what I read, jaw dropping.

“Divorce?” I gawk.

“Yes Elodie, I want a divorce, and you have just thirty days to respond. If not, the petition will be granted automatically.” His words echo like it's the easiest thing to say.

My heart skips a beat and I crumble the papers in my hands. "Why Mason?" I ask, my voice uneven, sobs growing louder.

“I don't love you anymore Elodie,” he squints, his brows furrows. “And I can't keep living with a fellow man disguised as a woman”

What is that even suppose to mean?

“This can't be.” I shook my head. “Tell me it's a joke.”

Mason shrugs. “The earlier you realise you have no space in this house anymore, the better for you.”

A chill ran down my spine, fear causing goosebumps to erupt on my skin, “Are you sending me out?”

“Yes, I am.” He turns to Serena, planting a soft kiss on her forehead. “ Serena here is carrying my child, and she has come to stay.”

And I thought he couldn’t hurt me further. My heart Squeezes in my throat, a fresh wave of tears stinging the back of my eyes.

“A child..?” I stumble backward. “No… that can't be true.” I mutter to myself, voice trembling.

I rub my chest, trying to ease the pain that is encased there.

With watery eyes, I look up at Mason. “Is this what I get from being an obedient and submissive wife to you?”

Just then a soft click on the marble floor interrupts me.

“Obedient? You?” Regina, my mother in-law cut in.

She steps towards me, eyes hard. “Well if you must be reminded, you are a worthless barren bitch. Your mother must be rolling in her grave.”

“Mother Stop!” I scream, shivering.

But in one swift motion, my husband's hand lands harsh on my face for the second time.

My teeth bit down on my tongue, the metallic tang of blood filling my mouth.

“You shut up!” Mason yells. “And don't ever raise your voice to my mother.”

This is what I get, isn’t it? After three years of marriage.

I wipe away the thin line of tears on my face.

My eyes drift and meet my mother-in-law's. She smiles like an innocent old woman, but all I could see were those disgusting wrinkles stretching with amusement.

“And for your information Elodie,” she continues, “Serena is already married to my son, so sign those papers as soon as you can.”

My heart pounds in my chest. Snot mix with tears, trailing down my cheeks.

What wrong have I done to incur this cruelty from the people I call family?

My mother-in-law then turns and walks over to Serena, pulling her into a hug.

“The deserving daughter is finally here."

And the words cut me more than the others.

"Oh mother, thank you.” Serena replies with a smile.

The sight of it makes me feel nauseous.

“Let's go to the dining table, dinner will soon be served." Regina says.

“Your loss.” Serena smirks and shoves past me.

I stumble back from the impact.

The words feel like a bullet shooting straight at me, each of them shattering my already fragile heart.

I watch helplessly as they enjoy the food I made to celebrate my three years anniversary.

I close my eyes against the rush of pain that fills me.

My step sister has won again, but this will be the last time, I swear.

Grabbing a pen on the table, I scribble down my signature, tears staining some of the words.

After that, I begin to make my way upstairs to the matrimonial room, when my mother-in-law's voice stops me.

"Where do you think you’re going, you slut?”

“I...I," I sniffled, wiping my tears before finding the words, "I want to get my things.”

She laughs, mocking. “Empty you came, and empty you would return.”

“But I..."

“No buts!” She cut me off. “Now get out, and if I ever see you close to this mansion again, you will spend the rest of your miserable life behind bars.”

"Or better still, we send her to her mother." Serena adds and they all laugh at her words.

I wish the ground could just let me have a space beneath it now, but I won't break completely in front of them.

They might have gotten the upper hand today, but no more.

Taking in a deep breath, I spoke again. “I will leave, it's…”

“Leave the ring too,” Regina snaps back. “It belongs to the real wife now.”

My jaw tightens, my heart breaks a million times more. The sudden realization that this is really happening aches more than I’d like to admit.

My fingers graze the wedding band, the one I hadn't taken off since the day I vowed forever.

“You will all regret this," I want to say, but when Mason's lips smacks on Serena’s into a passionate kiss... I lost my voice, the word dying off.

Slipping the ring off, I place it gently on the console table.

And then, I walk out… without even looking back.