Thrown To The Streets By One, Claimed by Another

“Five years without an offspring.” Lady Carter, Marina’s mother-in-law, thundered, the weight of her words leaving Marina shattered as she slowly lowered her cutlery onto her plate, waiting to listen to more.

This was just the beginning of the endless condemnation that would follow.

“I would have stood strongly against this union if I knew my only son was getting married to a barren woman.” She clasped her well-manicured fingers tightly before reaching for the knife. Stabbing into the steak in front of her with a sharp force, she shoved a piece into her mouth, chewing gracefully as if she hadn’t just dropped a bomb.

Tears pooled in Marina’s eyes, blurring her vision, but she quickly swiped them off with the corner of her thumb, hiding the storm that was swelling within her. Her mother-in-law's relentless jabs were nothing new to her, but each barb always cut deeper than the last.

“Collin is the only heir to the Carter Empire. How do you expect him to carry on the family name if you don’t give him a child? None at all. None for five good years.” Leila, her husband’s only sister, added more fuel to the fire that was already scorching her.

This was supposed to be a family dinner to celebrate her fifth-anniversary to their son, but it was gradually slipping into another night of dismay.

“I’m certain my brother is not the problem. He used to have girls around, different women who attested to his activeness before he met you.” The malice that dripped in Leila’s voice revealed the depth of her hatred for Marina. “The story would have been different if he had gotten married to Ivy.”

Marina pressed her legs together, her knuckles whitening as she gripped the edge of the table. Her insides were churning with frustration and sadness. Leila finally spilled the reason for the beef she had with her. Collin’s refusal to marry her best friend.

She dragged her gaze to her husband, hoping he would do something to stop this ridicule, but Collin focused his utmost attention on his phone, his smile widening as he scrolled through. At some point, his eyes would dart between his mother and sister, giving a light nod to their words like he supported whatever they were doing to his wife. He didn’t spare her a glance. 

Marina had always pretended that Collin hadn’t changed much, but now, watching him fixated on his phone, ignoring her entirely, the truth slammed her hard. This wasn’t the man she married five years ago.

The silent treatment, the verbal abuse she had endured in silence over the years, came crashing down on her, and she could no longer deny the fact that Collin wasn’t the same person anymore.

When was the last time he even touched her in the marriage?

Marina lowered her head. Tears fell freely from her eyes, dropping onto her plate. Her food was still untouched.

“I recommend that you two take a medical test again. We need to know where the problem is coming from.” Lady Carter chirped in again. 

A voice compelled Marina to speak up. She straightened on the chair, tilting her chin to face her mother-in-law. “We ran a series of medical tests before we got married, and the doctors confirmed we were perfectly fine.”

Her gaze dropped to Collin again. She needed his support, but whatever he was doing on that phone seemed to be more important than taking sides with his wife.

“I need another one after five years of marriage.” Lady Carter pushed her plate aside. “Well, as Leila said, I know my son is not the problem here. Is that correct, Collin?”

Collin finally let go of his phone. His lips curled when his mother shot him a hard glare, demanding a response. “It might be correct, because I ran a series of tests last week, and they all proved that I’m a complete man.” He faced his wife, his expression darkened when their gazes met. “Let’s ask the barren what the problem is.” The words left his lips, firm and disgustful, splintering Marina’s soul.

The tears ran down her cheeks in torrents. The only person who was supposed to support her joined in mocking her.

“I knew she was the problem.” Leila bellowed, snapping her fingers as she nodded her head. “I don’t think the test is necessary now that we’ve confirmed the problem, Mom.” She rolled her big eyes at Marina. “Ivy is still unmarried, and I know she’s fertile.”

The disrespect. How could Leila suggest another woman to her husband when she was still married to him? 

Lady Carter scanned Marina again from up to down. Heaving a sigh, she shrugged her shoulders. Marina’s heart pulsated. Her marriage to Collin was the essence of her living. He was the only one she had in the world. She couldn’t lose him now.

And she knew the Carters too well. Whatever Lady Carter said was final. Even Collin couldn’t stand against his mother.

To distract the lady from making a final decision, she said. “I will do a test.” She was certain nothing was wrong with her, too. They just needed some more time. Five years wasn’t too much if the Carters weren’t so desperate for an heir. “Another test to confirm my fertility.” She sounded low, not confident enough to stare at anyone seated at the table.

“Of course, you will.” Leila dismissed Marina with a scoff.

“And you know what comes after the test?” Lady Carter asked, her face hardening into a stern expression. 

Marina shook her head. 

Lady Carter chuckled lightly. “Let’s just say the fate of this marriage lies in that test.” She sounded firm and sure. She held Marina down in a long stare, the corner of her lips curving into a smirk when she turned away from her.

“Collin.” She boldly called out to her husband for the first time, her brows furrowing in confusion at what his mother just said. She cocked her eyes as if she was asking if that was true. If he knew about this decision before now.

“Doctor Charles will fix an appointment for you to come check yourself tomorrow.” Was his response.

“And if you’re the problem, this will be the end of this marriage.” Leila interrupted again. “You do not contribute significantly to this family. All you do is spend our money with no value added. Ivy is from a wealthy family. Aside from the fact that she would give Collin children, getting married to her would add to our assets.”

That was all Leila was concerned about. Ivy. She wanted her brother to marry her best friend, but Marina inwardly vowed never to let that happen. She would fight for her marriage to work out again and shame Leila.

Lady Carter straightened to her feet, dragging the chair backwards. Her eyes locked with Marina once more. “And about this anniversary dinner? I think it was unnecessary. You should fix your womb first before fixing dinner for people.”

Marina shuddered, pain and fury coursing through her as she watched her mother-in-law kissing her son’s cheeks before bouncing out of the house, her heels graciously clattering against the tiles with each step she took towards the door.

“I think I’m done here,” Leila said, stretching to her full, average height. “Bye, big bro. We might be visiting soon.” She followed her mother, swaying her slender figure.

After their departure, Marina turned to her husband. She was still dejected, but her husband was alone with her, and she expected him to make her feel better.

“You called me a barren, Collin.” She uttered, amid sniffles, her eyes glimmering with the hope that he would apologize to her and attribute his nonchalance to the fact that he was only trying to please his mother.

He pushed his plate aside. He picked up a napkin to wipe the food debris from his mouth. Eyes back on Marina, he said, “I’ll maintain my stance until the results prove otherwise.”

“Collin.” She dubbed in disbelief. This wasn’t the man she married.

He had changed so much, and this moment only confirmed the gravity of how much he had slipped away from her hands.

“I’ll do you the favor of booking an appointment with the doctor.”

Her eyes stung from too many tears. How did they get here? 

He adjusted his suit jacket. His eyes scanned her for a full minute, disgust laced in them. “Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately? Just take a look at how shabbily you’re dressed.”

Her gaze dropped down to her dress. The oversized dress he got her on their anniversary two years ago. He had gotten her similar dresses, claiming to like her not too exposed.

“What’s wrong with me?” She looked between her husband and herself. “You like me this way.”

He scoffed, shaking his head. “I await the results of the tests, because I’m tired of this damn marriage.”

She jumped out of her chair to grab her husband’s arm. “Please, Collin. I have nowhere to go if you give up on this marriage.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. “I’ll do anything, I will do anything you want me to do.”

“Anything?” His lips curled as she assessed her from up to down.

“Anything.” She affirmed, wiping tears off her eyes.

“Clear the bed, I will be bringing a woman home after my meeting tonight. I want you to serve her, and do not dare disrespect her when she’s here.”

Marina lost her balance. If she was broken before now, this condition Collin gave her just damaged the whole of her. And he wasn’t even remorseful. He was beaming with smiles as he walked out of the house, not taking a second glance at her.

Marina slammed herself into the wall. She was an orphan, alone in the world. Her marriage to Collin was the only thing she had, and if clearing the bed for Collin to sleep with another woman was the way forward, then she was willing to do it.

She loved her husband. She needed to save her marriage.