The Cuckoo's Nest

As I lay in bed, the pain in my leg dulled when I heard those words.

It wasn't like it didn't hurt anymore. The agony from my heart that stayed for seven years simply swelled so much that it numbed everything else.

So, Hank knew I was barren all along.

I closed my eyes, my fingers digging into my bed sheets until my knuckles paled. After the nurse gave me morphine and it started kicking in, the lights turned a blurry white.

Outside, Josh was still trying to reason with Hank. "That was seven years ago. Even if you resent Yvie for it, you can't treat her like some servant."

I heard Hank chuckled coolly. "She's doing it willingly. She wanted to be a mom, didn't she? I'm just granting her wish."

"Hank." Josh's tone turned stern. "You really don't think you're out of line?"

"She deceived me," Hank said. "For seven years."

I could still hear the clatter of prayer beads as Hank spoke.

"She deserves it. I'm just returning the favor, so that she knows how that feels."

I stared at the ceiling, suddenly reminded of the day we married seven years ago.

Standing before the guests, Hank had taken my hand and said quietly, "I'll give you a home, Yvie."

I believed him, and hence bought into seven years worth of lies.

That was when the door opened and a nurse entered. "Ms. Stark?"

I promptly closed my eyes and turned away, avoiding the door.

The nurse looked at me, and then outside. "Mr. Frost is still outside. Should I…"

"Tell him to leave," I said very quietly, surprised by how calm I was.

The nurse appeared taken aback. "The doctor just set your bone. You should have family keeping you company…"

"I don't have any family," I cut her off.

The voices outside stopped after I finished, and Hank entered at the very next second. He was still holding his prayer beads, looking calm, distant, and lofty.

"What are you up to this time?" he demanded with his usual impatience.

I held his gaze, suddenly really keen to ask who he thinks 'deserves it'.

Me?

So I shouldn't be alive? I shouldn't have married him, take care of his and Sue's five illegitimate children?

However, I withheld those words just before I said them. I knew the answer already.

Hank never saw me as a wife, but a suitable replacement who can raise the children for Sue while eliminating the risk of exposing the kids.

"The doctor said you'd need three months to heal," he said, sitting down beside my bed while twirling the prayer beads. "Who's going to take care of the kids?"

I held his gaze, and suddenly laughed. "Aren't you their father?"

Hank paused, and I saw a brief look of shock on his face. "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing," I replied, turning to look outside the window. "You brought them to your home. It's only natural that you take care of them."

Hank frowned. "You promised."

"I promised you plenty of other things too," I retorted, turning to look at him. "Like being a good wife, not asking about the children's background, or asking about the bank wires you make to Sue Lynd every month…and to always praise your charity in front of others."