They Abandoned Me But It Was Her Diagnosis

My mother, who had spoken, pointed at me.

“It's been two years since you two got married and yet you haven't been able to conceive. You're so busy with your so-called work that you neglect your husband and marriage. You barely take care of your appearance, looking so haggard. Why won't he look astray?” she shrilled.

“Mom, don't say that. I'm sure Emma didn't mean it.” Rachel called out, before turning to me with glistening tears, “Emma I swear it wasn't my intention. Kayden was lonely and I kept him company and told him to be understanding. One thing happened after another...”

“You don't have to apologize to her, Rachel.” Kayden said, looking at her so softly that it made me nauseous. "All this time we held back for her sake. Besides, it's clear what she's been 'busy' with. She has no right to complain."

His gaze turned to me, and it was cold as ice.

“Don't you dare bully Rachel. If not for her I would have divorced you long ago. It's for her sake that we lasted this long.”

“Yes,” My mother sneered, “You should be grateful that Kayden put up with you for so long. Unlike you, Rachel keeps her appearance and is actually considerate, visiting us and sending gifts. She's the perfect daughter and wife. Now that this happened they can be together in the open.”

Nausea filled me, my entire being in a daze when I was suddenly grabbed and pulled away by Ryan. Before I could process it I was thrown out of the house onto the sidewalk.

“Get out and never come back.” he sneered, shutting the door.

The cold air pierced my skin. Several minutes later, their revelry started alongside cheers. I remained there numb to it.

My family, and husband had betrayed me, kept secrets and lied to me. Now, they cast me aside.

And for what?

Looking down at the half opened diagnostic report I looked at the top corner of the paper, ironically the corner my hand covered when Rachel had grabbed it. Her name stood out.

'Rachel Adams'

The one who was sick wasn't me but Rachel herself, and none of them knew.

...

I made my way to my home after what felt like an eternity, drained and numb. What I didn't expect was to find piles of clothes and luggage laid on the front porch.

My belongings.

“What's going on?” I asked shakily towards Gina, our house maid.

“Mr Reeves instructed us to pack your belongings out and ensure that you aren't allowed inside. Madam, please leave.” the older woman's face was full of disgust as she looked at me. I knew at that glance that Kayden told her everything.

Glancing at the other maids, their gazes averted, as though afraid of catching an infection. They shrank back from me.

Bitterness filled me but I held it in.

“Alright.” I said. Without hesitation, I gathered my belongings.

I could hear their murmurs and their surprise. They expected me to fight. No arguments. But I didn't care.

Ignoring the mockery and murmurs behind me, I dragged every single belonging I had away until I reached the empty streets. The cold and my exhaustion were unbearable.

I had nowhere else to go.

Taking a deep breath, I called a number and prayed for the best.

“Hi. Sorry for bothering you this late but I need a favour...”

…

It was past midnight when I entered her home. Lena, a nurse in the hospital, my coworker and work friend helped me take in my luggage with furrowed brows.

We started talking after an incident where she was blamed and nearly fired and I ended up clearing her name. Although we often spoke at work we never met outside. I didn't think that she would actually respond. I called her to ask her if she knew any motels, at first, yet when she demanded the truth I told her. Surprisingly, she demanded that I stay over at her home, even paying the fare for her location.

“I'm so sorry for bothering you. I swear I'll think of something as soon as possible.” I said only for her to shake her head.

“Don’t worry about it. This apartment is too big for me alone so you can stay here as long as you want.” She brushed off with an ease that made my eyes sting.

Before I could say anything she led me to the couch with a curious look.

“You said you were kicked out of your home. Tell me, what happened?” she asked.

Taking a deep breath, I explained every detail. When I was done, I didn't expect her to be so furious.

“Bastards. All of them,” she cursed loudly, “how can people be so rotten and despicable? You're better off without them.”

“What do you mean?” I asked. She looked at me like I had two heads.

“Are you serious?” She scoffed, “From everything I know you've dedicated yourself to them. Yet they've been looking down on you for someone else. If that's not ungrateful, I don't know what is.”

The more she spoke, the more I understood. It was like my eyes were being opened.

Yes, I had devoted myself to them. They had criticised me for working too much, looking too haggard and never visiting, but weren't they the reason?