Divorce After Deception

The procedure was over quicker than I had anticipated. Lying in the cold, sterile operating room with bright lights glaring down on me, I felt something leave my body. Even though I was under anesthesia, a sharp pain pierced through me. A single tear slid from the corner of my eye as I gazed into the blinding white light above.

I failed this child.

As I was wheeled out of the operating room, I saw Jrue ahead, his focus entirely on Lilian. He didn't even notice his wife being pushed past him.

"This couple is stunning. I've seen her come in often for check-ups, and her husband is always with her," one nurse remarked.

"I heard she can't have kids because of health issues."

"But who cares if she can't conceive? Her husband doesn't seem to mind. It's something to envy."

I stared up at the ceiling, numb to the discussion about my husband and another woman. My heart was heavy.

Since I got pregnant, I'd attended every prenatal appointment alone. Jrue always had the excuse of being swamped with work. Now, it was obvious: it wasn't about his job; he simply didn't want to be there with me.

Jrue seemed to harbor resentment since our last encounter at the hospital, and after our unpleasant exchange, he hadn't reached out. Meanwhile, Lilian had been admitted too, in the room right next to mine.

Even being so close, during all my time in the hospital, Jrue hadn't noticed I was there. Of course, with Lilian being his perfect ideal, how could he see anyone else?